15 axioms proactive thoughts on work, leadership, and life “the unexamined life is not worth...

15 AxiomsProactive thoughts on work, leadership, and life

“The unexamined life is not worth living”

Socrates


What About Corporate Values?


1850 - 1988

…..value our customers, clients, and employees; provide a service to society; help our agents and brokers succeed; and consistently return a moderate return (defined as 4-6% annually over time) for our shareholders.


…..value our customers, clients, and employees; provide a service to society; help our agents and brokers succeed, and consistently return a moderate return (defined as 4-6% annually over time) for our shareholders.

1991 - 2000We will return 15% annually to shareholders; run a lean and efficient operation; provide our services to the right client and customer for our business.


The New York Times, March 1992 writing of this new CEO…

“… the post he assumed in 1988, the company pulled out of automobile insurance in 28 states, sometimes at significant short-term cost. … More than 2,600 jobs have been eliminated in the last nine months, mostly through layoffs.

At 59, this company veteran who climbed the heights over a 34-year career, conceded that his changes ``break a little china in and out of the company.``

Employees and former employees say that morale has slipped badly, that burnout is a threat to those left in company’s thinning ranks.

Agents, smarting from the pinch on commissions, are moving from suspicion to sometimes-open antagonism.”


In 2001, the company reported a net loss from continuing operations of $292 million and earnings per share loss from continuing operations of $0.46.

It took the next decade to return this company to it’s former respect and profitability by returning to values aligned with employees, clients, and consumers.


1886 - today


We believe our first responsibility is to the doctors, nurses and patients, to mothers and fathers and all others who use our products and services. … Our suppliers and distributors must have an opportunity to make a fair profit.

We are responsible to our employees, the men and women who work with us throughout the world. … their actions must be just and ethical.

We are responsible to the communities in which we live and work and to the world community as well. We must … pay our fair share of taxes.

Our final responsibility is to our stockholders. … When we operate according to these principles, the stockholders should realize a fair return


GREAT !, but what about our personal

values?

Let’s list some of them…


Do they look like this?


Let’s test our values shall we…

Financially

Secure

Faith

Accountability

Trust

Integrit

yFamily First

RespectHonesty

Adaptable

Fairness

Caring

Creativity

Entrepreneurial

Confidential


“When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.”

Roy E. Disney


Case Study…


This morning, you were told some confidential information by your boss, about a company by the name icDigital. Just last night your, sister-in-law Hannah, who works for icDigital had been over to your house for dinner. At one point in the conversation Hannah mentioned that although icDigital had a new, proprietary software product with patented technology, it had been struggling financially.

She went on to explain that there are rumors icDigital might be acquired, but she didn’t know by which company. If the acquisition happened, Hannah was well positioned to benefit financially, but if it did not occur, she would almost certainly lose her job, as would many others. She explained that she wanted to hang in there with icDigital, but had begun a job search several months ago as a safeguard. She was currently weighing the only offer she had received from a company that had asked for an answer by the end of the week.


• The information your boss shared with you

was that your company had been

considering an acquisition of icDigital

• But the deal was not moving forward.

• The final decision, however, wouldn’t

formally be announced for 3 weeks.

A few more details:


What will you do now?


Our values often times conflict…

Trust

Integrit

yFamily First

Caring

Confidential


“I am ashamed to think how easily we capitulate to badges and names, to large societies and dead institutions.”

Ralph Waldo

Emerson


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15 axioms proactive thoughts on work, leadership, and life “the unexamined life is not worth...

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fair return

moderate return

company veteran

corporate values

personal values

continuing operations

share loss

fair share of taxes