Turning your values into a list that’s actionable and meaningful for your whole veterinary team.
If you’ve read Part 1, then you’re already on your way to making your team values more than just a poster on the wall.
You understand that when your values align with actions, they become a compass for your team’s identity.
You’ve already started identifying the values that resonate with you, and now it’s time to take that list and refine it into something actionable and meaningful for your whole team.
From a Long List to a Few Powerful Values
In Part 1 of this series, we focused on discovering the values that matter to you. But now we face a challenge: how do we take a long list of values and narrow it down to a select few that will define your team?
Let’s break it down…
Step 1: Take all your individual words or action statements and start putting them up on a whiteboard or wall. Sticky notes are helpful for this exercise.
Step 2: As you go through the list, group similar values together – “collaboration,” “teamwork,” “respect,” and “listening” might naturally fall under the same category.
You’ll notice the exact wording doesn’t matter; what’s most important is that the essence of each value remains intact.
For example, if “listening” is one of your values, but your team collectively chooses “collaboration” as the value, don’t worry! Listening is still inherent in the concept of collaboration, and it will be part of how you demonstrate respect for one another and work together.
Why Grouping Matters
When you group values, you streamline the process of defining what’s truly important. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by dozens of values, you’ve narrowed them down to three to five core ones that will become your team’s guiding principles.
These are the values you’ll celebrate, reward, and uphold every day.
Making Your Values Tangible
Once you’ve narrowed down your list, it’s time to make each value tangible. For example, if “empathy” is one of your team’s values, you might write down a specific way this value should manifest in your practice.
For instance, if you work in reception, it could look like: “I would appreciate it if people were more understanding of how busy I am and not judge me so harshly when I can’t get to the phone right away.”
Each team member should do this for every value on your list. Once you’ve written down your examples, stick them to the corresponding values poster. This step makes the values more personal and actionable.
In Summary
You’ve now got your team values on paper, with real-life examples that resonate with everyone. But remember, this is just the beginning…
These values will guide your team’s decisions, shape your culture, and serve as the foundation for future growth.
