Operationalizing personal and corporate values with people leader Karen Price

In this week’s in-depth episode of the Leading Real Change podcast, Karen Price of Progress Software provides very practical tools to define your personal values and how companies can support employees to align their values to create greater energy and purpose at work. Key take aways include:

1. **Aligning Personal and Corporate Values**: Karen emphasizes the importance of aligning personal values with those of the organization. Finding synergies between personal and corporate values can lead to increased connection and energy.
2. **Forgiveness and Self-Compassion**: Karen highlights the importance of forgiving oneself for not being perfect, especially in balancing personal and professional responsibilities.
3. **Reflecting on Values**: It's crucial for individuals to reflect on their own values and how they align with the values of the company they work for. This reflection can lead to greater connection and energy in one's work.
4. **Embedding Values in Processes**: Karen discusses the significance of embedding company values into various processes, such as performance evaluations and promotions, to ensure that employees' contributions are aligned with organizational values.
5. **Inclusive Environment**: Creating an inclusive environment is essential for organizational success. This involves considering diverse perspectives, building communities, and examining processes and structures through an inclusive lens.
6. **Leadership and Inclusion**: Leadership plays a crucial role in fostering an inclusive environment by acknowledging and appreciating different perspectives and backgrounds among employees.
7. **Community Building**: Building communities within the organization fosters inclusivity and allows employees to connect with one another on a deeper level, thereby enhancing their overall experience.
8. **Supporting Wellbeing**: Prioritizing employee wellbeing is essential for preventing burnout. Organizations can support wellbeing through various initiatives, such as wellbeing sessions, employee engagement surveys, and fostering supportive relationships among colleagues.
9. **Baking Wellness In**: Incorporating wellness practices into regular check-ins and processes can help normalize discussions around wellbeing and ensure that employees feel supported in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
10. **Empowering Employees with Flexibility**: Organizations should empower their employees with flexibility and appreciate their contributions, especially in supporting working parents who often juggle multiple responsibilities. By creating an environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally, organizations can enhance overall productivity and employee satisfaction.