Core Values in COVID Times

by Aug 21, 2020

I always say core values are key to your culture. Too often, businesses create them but don’t rely on them to manage employee behavior. It’s a missed opportunity to drive expectations and accountability. 

COVID-time is no different. It’s super important to rely on your core values as you make decisions for your workforce, hold them accountable for safety, and help them survive this high-stress year.

With that said, I thought you might be interested in how we translated our core values to COVID-times, in case you wanted to borrow the idea

You can read our actual core values here on our website, and below is what I wrote in our return to work plan. 

BE LEGIT
Do the right thing. Stay home if you’re experiencing symptoms or have been around someone experiencing symptoms. Communicate openly about symptoms so we can ensure to do the right thing for everyone’s safety. In addition, communicate openly about how you’re feeling – if you’re overwhelmed, feeling nervous about coming in, or anything else, let me know. 

HAVE A WARRIOR SPIRIT
Persevere in difficult situations and do whatever it takes to get things done. But you can’t do that if you aren’t taking care of you. Sometimes doing whatever it takes means taking a breather or a break.

LEARN A LOT
We’re all learning, figuring it out, and going with the flow. None of us is perfect, and all of us are doing our best at learning what the new normal is and how we’ll function in it. 

GO PLATINUM
Treat others the way they want to be treated. Wear your mask, wash your hands, and otherwise act responsibly so that everyone around you feels safe. 

BE EXTRAORDINARY
Be the best version of yourself as often as possible. Be courageous. Change the world. We’re going to survive this. 

I encourage you to find ways to infuse safety into your culture. A sign on the door isn’t enough – your employees need to know that safety is a part of “how we do things around here.” 

Civility is the platform for organizational success—it is absolutely necessary for an organization to reach its goals. Download our Ebook on Seeking Civility to learn more on how to create a workplace free of bullying and abusive conduct.

 

About Catherine Mattice

Catherine Mattice, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP is President of consulting and training firm, Civility Partners, and has been successfully providing programs in workplace bullying and building positive workplaces since 2007. Her clients include Fortune 500’s, the military, several universities and hospitals, government agencies, small businesses and nonprofits. She has published in a variety of trade magazines and has appeared several times on NPR, FOX, NBC, and ABC as an expert, as well as in USA Today, Inc Magazine, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur Magazine, and more. Catherine is Past-President of the Association for Talent Development (ATD), San Diego Chapter and teaches at National University. In his book foreword, Ken Blanchard called her book, BACK OFF! Your Kick-Ass Guide to Ending Bullying at Work, “the most comprehensive and valuable handbook on the topic.” She recently released a second book entitled, SEEKING CIVILITY: How Leaders, Managers and HR Can Create a Workplace Free of Bullying.

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