Over the past two weeks, quite a few companies have decided to limit or remove their services in Russia in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
These companies make this decision, knowing it will come at a significant cost to their bottom line—potentially affecting the returns to shareholders, salaries of executives, the pay and benefits they offer their employees, and the services they provide customers. Yet for many, it was an easy, fast decision. Here’s why:
The more grounded you are with your core values and purpose, the easier it is to make decisions. Likewise, the more your core values and purpose are engrained in your company, the more accepting your employees will be of choices that align with your corporate personality and culture.
This is true for much more than the situation in the Ukraine. In any given month, quarter or year, things will happen that may cause you to spend your valuable time and energy deciding what to do. Make these moments less stressful by simply following your values. You’ll find that the more often you lean into your core purpose and core values, the easier it is to lead with confidence.
It’s also easier to explain the rationale behind decisions to customers, employees, vendors and, if appropriate, shareholders. Audiences who know and understand your core values expect you to use them as guides for all kinds of decisions, large and small.
As an example, one of R2R’s core values is “Seek Solutions.” When the question is, “Should we take the time to figure something out even though it’s beyond the scope of our agreement with the client?” The answer is always YES. It’s who we are.
Tell us about your company’s Core Values and how they drive decisions. We’d love to hear your story.
