Culture and guiding principles are important to VUCANs who work at Microsoft, Apple, Google, Nike because they communicate pride and enthusiasm with memorable tag lines. For example, We Company’s (formerly WeWork) mission is ‘to elevate the world’s consciousness’. These mission statements convey to employees that their companies represent caring and excellence, the best companies in their industry.
A number of companies focus on ethics and meaningful work. Space X and Tesla, both founded by Elon Musk, stress the importance of doing life-changing and life-rewarding work. Space X is a commercial space venture. Tesla is an electric automotive manufacturer.
Companies are competing to be family friendly, encourage empowered employees, and respect the dignity of all. Values, culture, principles and ethics are organizational core competencies for success. Organizational core values include respecting individual dignity, integrity, and honesty. Core values are ingrained in the way VUCANs act and think. Values then establish direction, guide employees in the right course of action, define challenges, and point to preferred paths.
Kickstarter is a notable company pursuing a higher purpose. The founders decided the crowdsourcing company had met its goals and was making sufficient money. All good. What was the next step? The company rebranded into a Public Benefit Corporation and would focus on the public good instead of going public. The company promises to have an equal number of male and female employees, executive pay less than five times the salary of the average employee, and diversity would be stressed.
Work Lesson Earned: Are these cultural buzzwords reality based? It’s important you check these out before moving into a new organization. One of the keys to maintaining work sanity is to understand your employer’s culture or customer’s values. An organizational culture can empower or kill your career. If you understand and reinforce your customer’s or employer’s culture, then there’s a much higher chance you’ll excel. If there’s a conflict with your values with those of your employer, deal with it or leave. It’s fairly simple. Can you live with the difference? If not, what are the risks and benefits of moving?