Mission, Vision, Values, … The words roll off the tongue so easily. How much time have we spent revisiting them, strategizing around them and trying to align people with them! But talk is cheap. Walking the talk is a different proposition, and the problem with values is that what you say about them is irrelevant. It's what you
do about them that counts. Test yourself on some your organisation almost certainly says it aspires to.

The universal way of showing Respect is to listen. How well do you listen? Really listen? To the youngest or newest member of your team; to people with whom you disagree; to irate customers; when you just KNOW what someone is going to say? If you're not listening you can't claim to be respectful.

Growing High performing teams means allowing people to think for themselves, giving them feedback on how they are doing and then holding them accountable. How frequently and honestly do you give feedback? Have you ever shirked on feedback and coaching to get to disciplinary action? Are you guilty of giving people your ideas instead of helping them develop their own?

You simply can't Build Relationships with customers or colleagues if you can't do empathy! How sensitive are you to the feelings of others? Are you willing to acknowledge those feelings? Are you able to talk about them when it is appropriate?

Perhaps we need to be a little more circumspect with our talk about values, and recognise that living up to them means walking a demanding path.