Value Moments

An exercise in creating team values

July 31, 2023
Team members discussing team values

If you google team values, you’ll find lists that include words like committed, honest, motivated, ethical, accurate… They feel hollow and sterile. They’re the kind of list your team will likely rubber stamp and quickly forget on their back to their desk.

But what if you could define a set of values that both inspired your team and informed how they worked?

Value Moments achieves this by articulating values using behaviors, stories and moments. They describe what it looks like for the team value to be lived out.

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Why quality team values matter.

Teams exist to create and deliver value. Along that journey, there are many choices to be made. Our values inform both what gets delivered and how we get there. 

Values should be the distinguishing flavors of what motivates the team and informs how they behave.

If you’re the leader, or especially the founder, there are likely values that drove you when you started the business or project. You want the people working for you to embody these same values as they work.

How to create team values.

There are numerous values you could list out that sound nice, and you want to be true of your team but don’t belong in your list of core values.

Identify differentiating values.

These values should be the distinguishing flavors of what motivates the team and informs how they behave. These values should differentiate them from other teams. 

You want to surface what will matter to your team at the end of the day. I like using the note-and-vote activity to facilitate discussions like this one. 

Prompt the team with these questions.

  • What matters most to our team?
  • What differentiates our team’s behavior from other teams?
  • What motivates us to do this job?
  • What would be the most visible sign that our team was successful?

Then give everyone 5 minutes to write down ideas for values. Have them write one idea per sticky note. Use a visible timer, so everyone knows how long they have. 

Once everyone has finished. Allow team members one at a time to share their sticky notes. They will read the note, add brief comments for context, and then stick it to the board. If they have a few that are very similar, they can stick them closer to each other. 

Our values inform both what gets delivered and how we get there.

As each person takes a turn, they can begin to group similar values. When everyone has gone, invite a discussion to organize all the ideated values. Feel free to give temporary names to those groups.

Now choose the top 3-4 value groups and order them by importance. 

But you’re not done yet. Once you have your prioritized list of values, you’re ready to move on to the next step.

If you’re on a distributed team, you can use any of several quality digital whiteboards for this exercise.

Name the moments that describe the values.

You could stop now, write those top values on a piece of paper and hang it all the wall. But over time, they would lose the nuance and inspiration the team felt during the exercise. 

They would become no different than the hollow value lists we mentioned earlier and would soon be forgotten. 

That is why this step is so critical. 

Your team will name each value, describing what it looks like at a moment when that value is lived out. 

But what if you could define a set of values that both inspired your team and informed how they worked?

Your value moments should possess these four characteristics.

  1. Short. Not longer than five words.
  2. Visual. They should immediately invoke a scene representing the value in action.
  3. Fun. Be creative and craft memorable names that represent some of the team’s personality. 
  4. Descriptive. Pair each value moment with a longer description to flesh out why the value is essential.

This activity will create a story in their mind about these core values, and people are very good at remembering stories. 

If your team is struggling with names, share some examples below as inspiration.

Team values examples.

Value moments have been my favorite way to set values for my teams. Here are the values of a team from a few years ago. We took the idea for the first one from Patrick Lencioni’s book the Advantage, but it was already a core value to our team.

Willing To Sweep Floors 

Setting aside status and ego and willing to do whatever was necessary to help the organization succeed. This value will play out in building proofs of concepts and doing the groundwork for alignment. 

Go To The Moon

We set high, measurable goals and map the steps but allow freedom for how we get there—seeking to collaborate across the organization and beyond it.

No Sacred Cows

We’re willing to take risks and cultivate an environment of creativity and innovation, open to entertaining any idea if it will help us accomplish our goals. 

Give Away My Seat

We invite other voices into the process, advocate for them, and seek to grow our teams and replace ourselves with a more diverse team. Humility is the ability to learn something from anyone and everyone.

A 5-day journey to living from your priorities

It’s easy to spend our day reacting to what comes at us. What if you could be proactive, intentionally making decisions based on your priorities? It is possible!

Our five-day short course guides you through the process of identifying your life priorities and scaling them day to everyday decisions. You’ll learn how to establish a rhythm to build good habits and grow a team that will be with you in the journey.

Run your own team values exercise.

Now that you’ve seen the process and a few examples, you’re ready to take your own team through the process. 

You want to give enough time so the process won't feel rushed. Your needed time will depend on factors like your team’s size and how long the team has been working together. 

Most of the time, this exercise can be accomplished in an hour or two. 

But writing out your value moments is just the beginning. These values should come up as you evaluate options, conduct reviews, and create future roadmaps. 

Action Plan

If you get stuck or want someone else to facilitate the exercise for your team, reach out on LinkedIn, and we can set something up. Or, if you’re not sure, signup for one of my free 30-minute coaching spots, and we can talk it through. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Team Leadership

What is team leadership?

Team leadership is a management approach focused on leading and guiding a group of individuals working together towards a common goal. A team leader is responsible for providing direction, support, and guidance to the team members, while fostering a positive and productive work environment.

Team leadership involves setting clear goals and expectations for the team, communicating effectively, and building trust and relationships with team members. It also involves empowering team members to take ownership of their work and contribute their unique skills and perspectives to the team's success.

Some key characteristics of effective team leadership include:

  1. Communication: Team leaders communicate clearly and effectively with their team members, keeping them informed about goals, expectations, and progress.
  2. Vision and strategy: Effective team leaders have a clear vision for what they want to achieve and a strategy for how to get there, while also being flexible and adaptable when necessary.
  3. Empowerment: Good team leaders empower their team members to make decisions and take ownership of their work, while also providing support and guidance as needed.
  4. Trust-building: Team leaders build trust and strong relationships with their team members, creating a positive and productive work environment.
  5. Results-oriented: Finally, effective team leaders are results-oriented, focusing on achieving goals and driving performance while also valuing the well-being and development of their team members.

Overall, team leadership is a collaborative and empowering approach to management that values communication, trust-building, and results-driven performance.

Learn more about leadership.

What are the different styles of team leadership?

There are several different styles of team leadership, including:

  1. Democratic leadership: In this style, the leader encourages open communication and participation from all team members in decision-making processes.
  2. Autocratic leadership: This style involves the leader making decisions and taking control over the team's direction, often with little input from team members.
  3. Transformational leadership: This style focuses on inspiring and motivating team members to achieve their full potential, often by setting a clear vision and communicating goals effectively.
  4. Servant leadership: A servant leader prioritizes the needs of their team members, focusing on serving and empowering them to achieve their goals.
  5. Laissez-faire leadership: In this style, the leader provides minimal guidance or direction, allowing team members to take ownership of their work and make decisions independently.
  6. Transactional leadership: This style involves setting clear goals and expectations for team members and providing rewards or discipline based on performance.
  7. Situational leadership: This approach involves adapting one's leadership style to fit the specific situation or needs of the team at any given time.

Overall, each style of team leadership has its own strengths and weaknesses, and effective leaders may use a combination of different styles depending on the situation and the needs of their team.

Learn more about leadership.

What are the different skills required for team leadership?

There are several key skills required for effective team leadership, including:

  1. Clear: Team leaders must be to communicate effectively with their team members, setting clear expectations and goals, providing feedback, and keeping everyone informed about progress and changes.
  2. Active listening: Leaders need to be able to listen actively to their team members, hear their concerns, ideas, and suggestions, and work collaboratively to find solutions.
  3. Empathy: Good team leaders value empathy, recognizing and understanding the perspectives of their team members, and working to build trust and strong relationships
  4. Decision-making: Leaders must be able to make informed decisions based on available information and input from team members, while also being decisive when necessary.
  5. Problem-solving: Effective team leaders must be able to identify and solve problems that arise within the team, working collaboratively to find creative and effective solutions.
  6. Motivation and empowerment: Leaders must be able to motivate and empower their team members to take ownership of their work, overcome challenges, and achieve their full potential.
  7. Delegation and management: Team leaders must be able to delegate tasks effectively, manage resources and timelines, and oversee the work of the team to ensure quality and efficiency.

Overall, effective team leadership requires a combination of interpersonal, decision-making, and management skills, as well as the ability to inspire and empower team members to work collaboratively towards shared goals.

Learn more about leadership.

What is servant leadership?

Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy and management style that emphasizes the importance of serving others first before considering one's own needs and desires. It's an approach to leadership that focuses on the well-being and growth of others, rather than solely on achieving organizational goals.

A servant leader prioritizes the needs of their followers or team members, providing them with support, guidance, and mentorship. They are committed to empowering their team members to reach their full potential and achieve their goals.

Some common characteristics of servant leaders include:

  1. Empathy: Servant leaders value empathy, placing themselves in the shoes of their followers to better understand their needs and motivations.
  2. Listening: They are active listeners, taking the time to listen to their followers' concerns, feedback, and ideas.
  3. Commitment to development: Servant leaders prioritize the growth and development of their followers, providing opportunities for learning and development.
  4. Humility: They recognize their own limitations and seek input from others to make informed decisions.
  5. Stewardship: Servant leaders view themselves as stewards of their organization, working to create a positive impact for all stakeholders.

Overall, servant leadership is about creating a supportive and empowering environment for others to thrive. By prioritizing the needs of their followers, a servant leader can inspire trust, loyalty, and commitment, ultimately leading to better outcomes for the organization as a whole.

Learn more about how to cultivate servant leadership.

Servant Leadership

What is servant leadership?

Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy and management style that emphasizes the importance of serving others first before considering one's own needs and desires. It's an approach to leadership that focuses on the well-being and growth of others, rather than solely on achieving organizational goals.

A servant leader prioritizes the needs of their followers or team members, providing them with support, guidance, and mentorship. They are committed to empowering their team members to reach their full potential and achieve their goals.

Some common characteristics of servant leaders include:

  1. Empathy: Servant leaders value empathy, placing themselves in the shoes of their followers to better understand their needs and motivations.
  2. Listening: They are active listeners, taking the time to listen to their followers' concerns, feedback, and ideas.
  3. Commitment to development: Servant leaders prioritize the growth and development of their followers, providing opportunities for learning and development.
  4. Humility: They recognize their own limitations and seek input from others to make informed decisions.
  5. Stewardship: Servant leaders view themselves as stewards of their organization, working to create a positive impact for all stakeholders.

Overall, servant leadership is about creating a supportive and empowering environment for others to thrive. By prioritizing the needs of their followers, a servant leader can inspire trust, loyalty, and commitment, ultimately leading to better outcomes for the organization as a whole.

Learn more about how to cultivate servant leadership.

How can servant leadership be beneficial in the workplace?

Servant leadership can be beneficial in the workplace in a number of ways, including:

  1. Improved employee engagement and job satisfaction: When employees feel supported, valued, and empowered by their leaders, they tend to be more engaged and satisfied with their work.
  2. Increased collaboration and teamwork: Servant leaders prioritize communication, collaboration, and trust-building, which can lead to stronger relationships and more effective teamwork.
  3. Higher levels of productivity and innovation: When leaders empower their team members to take ownership of their work and contribute their ideas, it can lead to higher levels of productivity and innovation.
  4. Reduced turnover and absenteeism: Employees who feel supported and valued are less likely to leave their jobs or call in sick, leading to reduced turnover and absenteeism rates.
  5. Improved organizational culture: Servant leadership can create a positive organizational culture that values growth, development, and well-being for all stakeholders, which can lead to improved morale and outcomes.

Overall, servant leadership can lead to a more positive, productive, and fulfilling workplace environment, benefiting both employees and the organization as a whole.

Learn more about how to cultivate servant leadership.

How does servant leadership differ from other leadership styles?

Servant leadership differs from many other leadership styles in several key ways:

  1. Focus on serving others: Servant leaders prioritize the needs and well-being of their followers over their own interests, while many other leadership styles focus more on achieving organizational goals.
  2. Empathy and listening skills: Servant leaders value empathy and active listening skills to better understand the needs and perspectives of their followers, while some other leadership styles may be more focused on asserting authority or making decisions without input from others.
  3. Collaboration and teamwork: Servant leaders prioritize collaboration and teamwork, seeking to empower and develop their followers to achieve their full potential, while other leadership styles may be more focused on competition or individual achievement.
  4. Humility and accountability: Servant leaders view themselves as stewards of their organization, prioritizing the well-being of all stakeholders and taking responsibility for their decisions, while some other leadership styles may be more focused on personal ambition or avoiding blame.

Overall, servant leadership is characterized by a focus on serving others, prioritizing empathy and collaboration, and taking a humble and accountable approach to leadership. While other leadership styles may be effective in different contexts, servant leadership can be a powerful tool for creating positive change and empowering others to reach their full potential.

Learn more about how to cultivate servant leadership.

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