At JoyCorps, our values (Joy, Understanding, Integrity, Collaboration, and Empowerment) are fundamental to us because they define our identity, guide decision-making, and shape our culture. Our work, as well as that of the entrepreneurial leaders we collaborate with, often goes against the grain, challenging the norms of both business and nonprofit sectors. Therefore, our values take on an even greater significance for us, serving as a compass as we navigate the less-traveled paths. We recognize that our values are aspirational yet actionable commitments that we strive to live out in our work and daily lives. In writing this blog, the JoyCorps team came together to share their thoughts and insights on values and their role in our lives and work.

Our values are defined in the JoyCorps Playbook. This internal guidebook articulates expectations and methods to produce an efficient, empowering, and life-giving team/work environment so that every person can thrive. In the following segment, we invited JoyCorps’ Tenzin and Shalem to read the definition of each value in our Playbook, and then reflect on the values from their personal experiences. 

With the Playbook acting as a guide for our organization’s culture, how do these values actually show up in our daily work and our interactions within the team and outside of it? The culture of an organization is a dynamic entity that constantly forms and evolves, whether the people of the organization are thinking about values consciously or not. In our daily work, we establish both small and larger rhythms to ensure our work culture stays aligned with our values. Sharon, Sam, and Asha discuss some of these rhythms. 

What are some of your thoughts about organizational values? We would love to know!