My Core-terly Review
Our resilience LIES IN being true to who we are
Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash
What does a fresh start look like when February rolls around?
For my team and I, we are finding our fresh start in each other. The African concept of Ubuntu is something that sources our inspiration more and more with each year we spend together and each hurdle we share. Ubuntu is known by other names throughout various parts of Africa, yet for all its names, its overall meaning is the same: "I am because we are."
With February also being Black History Month here in the USA, Ubuntu seems an even more fitting inspiration. And for every other month, it reminds us to focus on what is really important: recognizing each other's value. We are interconnected.
Our resilience not only as a team, but also as individuals, depends upon our ability to embrace Ubuntu.
Just a few weeks ago, we welcomed 2021 as a fresh start. I mentioned then that, to stand on the shoulders of the moments we've lived before, we continue to ask ourselves, "Given where we've been and where we are, where do we want to go now?" We dug deep to choose our direction and identify what we wish to be a part of in the world.
Last month, I shared that for the foreseeable future, we are focusing on: peace, empathy, and unity.
How did we become clear on this? By going back to our Core Values statement. We took a breath and looked closely at what was truly important to each of us as individuals, and then again, collectively, as a group. We created a collection for our organization and one for ourselves personally. We keep them close and continue to revisit them throughout the year. When we review our core values statement, we are able to realign ourselves with the way we express and live by our core values in the current moment.
Our company core values are our compass (you could also say North Star) in how we approach our business every day--and in how we treat each other as a team. Keeping them close means they stay fresh and relevant.
We all agreed that inclusion, fairness, respect, compassion, integrity, accountability, resilience, wellbeing, growth, empowerment, individuality, community, leading from inspiration and yes, love, are among the MVPs of our ES and LMH core values.
I revisit and refresh my personal core values often, so that I ensure that what I stand for in this moment is represented. My team and I share our personal beliefs with each other and we discuss our core values. In 2020, one of the things that came into focus was our need to dedicate time specifically to do this. The core values we hold as individuals have helped influence the values we hold as a company and vice versa.
For some of our team, core values are strongly connected with personal cultural, spiritual, or religious beliefs. Between us, we were all raised in different environments and practice different religions, and it was affirming to see how many of our values were shared, even if we came by them through different places.
We spoke openly (and still do!), knowing that everyone’s perspective would be welcomed. We are a tight-knit group but even so, being able to share my own personal thoughts and desires with my team took courage and in the end, has made me feel even closer to them.
Here’s is an excerpt of what I shared with my group about how I see my place in the world, see them, and see the people we support together:
MY DESIRE FOR THE WORLD
That we hear, see, understand, and appreciate each other and our world.
MY PURPOSE
To be a safe, supportive, and receptive presence who helps people connect to the best in themselves and their ability to access their inherent capacity to bridge the gaps that exist between us. To inspire people to meet each other from a place of vulnerability, acceptance and love.
WHAT MOVES ME - MY VALUES (in no particular order)
Freedom
Fairness - Justice-Equity
Respect for each person
Speak and act with integrity: do what say will do, honor my word
Trust-Honesty-Sincerity: Integrity of my word, being true and honest with self and others
Family - all forms: nourish it!
Humility
Community
Act with compassion
Generosity
Act on behalf of others who need help
Win-win: outcomes, relationships, etc.
Independence, autonomy, self-empowerment
Harmony
Love
Connection (and communication as an expression of honoring that connection)
Evolving and elevating (learning and making things better)
Fun & humor
Connecting to, supporting, and living in concert with nature
Taking risks to live fully (including reach for new heights)
Gratitude and appreciation
MY MISSION
To bring light to the world.
THE WHY BEHIND MY STANDARDS
I believe in order for people to be seen, heard, respected, and for their time and energy to be valued, it is important to listen, acknowledge what they express, and keep them in the loop.
I believe that if we see and appeal to the best in people, there is a greater probability that they will see it in themselves and others. It makes the world a better place.
I believe we choose --whether it be design or default. So if we want a different story for ourselves, we need to write it by making different choices.
I believe we can laugh and find light, even when we are in pain.
I believe that we can serve others, even when we are hurting or compromised.
I believe we are stronger and more resilient than we know.
I believe that it is important to receive as well as give.
I believe our bodies are our partners and we are responsible for choices to support our own, holistic well being.
I believe we teach others how to treat and value us.
We are at our best when we are accepted for who we are and believe in what we are doing.
WHAT YOU MEAN TO ME
You inspire me to do better and be better
I want you to have a life filled with joy and fulfillment
You deepen my awareness and expand my understanding of the world
What do you value most? What matters deeply to you?
The document we used to capture our reflection and align our values was a simple template that we adapted. If you'd like to use the template we created for ourselves to help you answer these questions, click here to download a copy. In addition, there is an entire collection of tools that I use from our colleagues and collaborative partners at Tiara International, and I am finding them very helpful!
Here’s an excerpt of our EmpowerSpeak and Lifemoves Health core values document:
OUR DESIRE FOR THE WORLD
We desire that people lead from their humanity, in every day and the eventful moments. We desire that people bring their true gifts to the world, which will enable us to take better care of this world and each other, to grow and make what is possible into reality.
OUR MISSION
Connection - intra and interconnectedness
Specifically: To empower people to communicate courageously and consciously for the greater good.
THE WHY BEHIND OUR STANDARDS
Why do we do what we do the way we do it...
So we deserve the trust you place in us
So you experience being seen, heard, and valued by us
So you feel fully supported and empowered
So you can confidently communicate and be in alignment with yourself
So the world can benefit from each person’s light and gifts
So the frequency of relationships we have with each other and the world can be higher
So we can continue to grow and learn
WHAT YOU MEAN TO US
You are the ambassadors to a better world
You are part of how we serve
You make us smile
You help us to be better people and to contribute to uplifting the world
What you feel matters to us
Your successes are our celebrations
We want you to dream big, discover your gifts, and know the joy of being you
Thank you for letting us share something that is very special to us. I hope it inspires you to connect with your core values, so you can lead from inspiration, with resilience!