Bridging the Values Gap
Business has a values problem. It's not just spectacular public scandals like Enron (which, incidentally, had a great corporate values statement). Many companies fail to live up to the standards they set for themselves, alienating the public and leaving employees cynical and disengaged—resulting in lower productivity, less innovation, and sometimes outright corruption.
The reason, argue top scholars and consultants Edward Freeman and Ellen Auster, is that all too often values are handed down from on high, with little employee input, discussion, or connection to the challenges and opportunities facing the organization. Although the words may be well-intentioned, they aren't reflected in the everyday practices, policies, and processes of the organization. This practically invites disconnects between intention and reality.
To bridge this gap between the “talk” and the “walk”, Freeman and Auster provide a process through which organizations can collectively surface deeply held values that truly resonate with everyone, from top to bottom. Their Values Through Conversation (VTC) process focuses on four key types of values conversations: introspective (reflecting on ourselves and how we do things in the organization), historical (exploring our understanding of our past and how it impacts us), connectedness (creating a strong community where we work well together), and aspirational (sharing our hopes and dreams).
By developing values through discussions—casual or formal, one-on-one or in groups—VTC ensures that values are dynamic and evolving, not static words on a wall or a website. Freeman and Auster offer advice, real-world examples, and sample questions to help you create values that are authentic and embraced because they are rooted in the lived experience of the organization.
Industry Reviews
“Freeman and Auster demonstrate how companies imbed or disregard values in their operations. With these examples, we learn why bridging the values gap makes a difference in economic and social value creation and long-term success. This book is a must-read for practitioners as well as academics.”
—Patricia H. Werhane, Wicklander Professor of Business Ethics and Managing Director, Institute for Business and Professional Ethics, DePaul University
“Bridging the Values Gap should be essential reading for business leaders. Freeman and Auster demonstrate how business executives can use shared values to create platforms that engage employees and drive results. In my twenty-five-plus-year career at Procter & Gamble, I saw how its purpose, values, and principles provide the foundation for P&G's success. Simply put, values drive shareholder value.”
—Lisa Hillenbrand, former Director, Global Marketing, Procter & Gamble
“A lot has been preached about the importance and unfortunate absence of values in business. Freeman and Auster spare us the preaching and instead show us how values come to life in real companies. Most important, they then provide managers with specific tools for bringing values to life inside their organizations.”
—Joshua Margolis, James Dinan and Elizabeth Miller Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School
“Consistently living up to strong values—both organizationally and individually—is among the hardest challenges facing business leaders today. This is also why it is such a powerful force for competitive advantage. If you aspire to make values a key part of your business or your own career, Freeman and Auster will help you avoid the most common mistakes and see more clearly the panoply of opportunities that Values Through Conversation can create.”
—Robert Phillips, Professor of Management and Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law, University of Richmond
“Freeman and Auster identify a problem facing most businesses—what they call the ‘values gap'—and they demonstrate how it impedes business success. They provide concrete ways that managers can bridge the values gap in their corporations. Their solution directly integrates values into business practice. This book will appeal to managers at all levels, and they will find that it is an excellent resource for their personal and professional growth and development.”
—Adrian Keevil, Partner, PlusTick Partners
