Recap: Ann Rhoades on Building a Values-Based Organization

Ann Rhoades kicked off #ASHHRA16 yesterday with a dynamic and compelling presentation in which she extolled the value-based strategies that she has guided organizations through for much of her 25-plus year career as a consultant and author. 

 

"You have to consciously design your culture, don’t just let it happen," she advised attendees. "It’s not about the values that you post on the wall, but about what you do every day. It’s not about the words, but about the associated behaviors."

 

She shared her Five Keys to a Built on Values Model:

1. Organizations need to figure out who they want to be and make those values their blueprint. 

2. Spend time and effort to hire "A Players" who have the competencies and the values.

3. People want to be held accountable — not just for outcomes, but for getting them the right way. And want to be recognized for it.

4. You cannot be better on the outside than on the inside. Organizations have to care about every caregiver that works for them, because they’re the ones building the brand every day.

5. You must have continuous improvement. 

 

Ann shared numerous funny, touching and insightful anecdotes from some of her most well-known clients in the airline industry, JetBlue and Southwest, as well as examples a bit closer to home from Hill Country Memorial health care system, right here in Texas. These companies embody consciously designed cultures where behaviors matter, not words. They also share the essential trait of being led by a CEO who truly lives the values that the company believes in.

 

Storytelling, in fact, is essential to creating a values-based culture, said Ann: "Culture is the collection of behaviors in an organization. You need to collect the stories of people living your values and people will remember those stories and emulate those behaviors."

 Follow Ann on Twitter: @ann_rhoades