Why I don't believe in value statements

When I started Talentedly a little over a year ago, we tried to distill a set of value statements for the company. I knew how important it was to codify our values, not only as a basis for developing our culture, but as the foundation for relating to our customers, attracting talent and keeping the team focused and energized. The exercise failed miserably for three reasons: it was too early, it was the wrong team, and, as a result, we couldn’t effectively reflect our values in our product.

Fast forward and the conditions of our environment are very different: we have the right team, we have a deeper understanding of our product and our customers and, most importantly, we have a stronger sense of self. The time was right to revisit our mission (why we exist), vision (what we want to accomplish) and values (what we believe). Through the process, we discovered something disturbing: defining our mission and vision was relatively easy; we know why we exist and we can clearly see our future. Where we lacked connection, and conviction, was with expressing our values (what we believe). We found ourselves staring at words that were caricatures of management gurus and big thinkers. Our values were well crafted statements that were academically sound, but emotionally dead.

Why was this not working, again? Mainly because we were too busy making sure we chose the right words versus capturing our principles and the standards that we wanted to hold ourselves, and others, to. It became clear that we were petrified to acknowledge something that we all believed but wouldn't dare utter: value statements don't work. We'd all been part of companies who touted their values yet perpetuated a working culture and environment that was as toxic as Chernobyl. Our past was preventing us from creating our future.

At Talentedly, we believe that our values should be part of our day-to-day mindset, instruments that will keep us true to our mission and vision. Our values are what guide how we work with each other, with our customers and hold us accountable for our actions. We fully expect our values to evolve as we mature, both as individuals and as a company. We don't believe in value statements because a statement is a declaration, not a tool. A mantra, however, has two parts: man, which is the root of the Sanskrit word for mind and tra, which is the root of the word instrument. Therefore a mantra is an instrument for the mind. Mantras are meant to be said repeatedly. Mantras are truisms. Mantras keep you focused and present. Mantras are fluid.

At Talentedly, we don't believe in value statements; we embody value mantras. We hope that you too are inspired you to say less, and do more.

Start with “What if …”
Realize your potential by helping others reach theirs
Be respectfully direct
Don’t look for the win; make the win
Embrace and embody your ambition
Be accountable for your actions and the impact these have on others
There are no excuses, only choices
Commit to working talentedly (purposefully, deliberately and with transparency)