10 Lessons from 10 Years as a Founder: #7 Live Your Values
When I reflect on a decade of building and nurturing a business, a lesson that stands out prominently is the importance of living your values. It is not just about having a set of values written on a piece of paper; it is about embodying them. Ensuring they are the foundation for every decision, action, and interaction that occurs within your business.
In the early days, I didn’t write down company values. Which didn’t really matter too much – we were small, and I think that in the early days – the values of the Founder become the values of the business, organically. Then, as the business started to grow, setting the values in stone and involving our Leadership Team in the process became important. I wanted to share a little bit about why.
Why Values Matter In Business
As your business grows, the importance of your values becomes even more pronounced. In the early days, it is easier to ensure that everyone is on the same page because the team is small, and communication is direct. However, as the company expands, the challenge lies in ensuring that every new member understands and embraces these core values. Having clear values that you consistently live by sets a standard for everyone in the organisation. People know what is expected of them, and what they should live by. Values act as a compass, guiding your people and your business through.
Living your values gives your business a strong foundation. It creates a consistent environment, where employees know what is expected of them and what they can expect from the leadership team.
We have five values at Hable: Take Ownership. Talk Honestly. Stay Curious. Be Brave. Show Empathy.
These five things have acted as real pillars for us. The values are not just words; they are the foundation of our culture and guide our actions every day. It’s how we hire, it’s how we make decisions, and it’s how we work with our customers. Providing a strong and consistent framework that supports our growth and success. They encourage us to take responsibility for our work, communicate openly and honestly, remain inquisitive and eager to learn, face challenges with courage, and always consider the feelings and perspectives of others.
Living your values is not always easy. There will be times when you are tempted to compromise. However, it is during these moments that sticking to your values becomes most crucial. Hable gives our regular awards to members of our team who are really “living the values” – and we also take action if someone is deemed to be going against our values (even if they are a high performer).
Being clear on your own values is a fundamental aspect of being a successful Founder and business owner. But defining and embedding the values of a business takes time and thought. As I reflect on my ten years of running Hable, I can confidently say that living our values has been instrumental in shaping our journey, and who we are today.
