Is there really any difference between a leader of a Fortune 500 Corporation and a Social Enterprise or Non-Profit?

I love this article by Verne Harnish.  When re-reading it, I’m taken by the need for all leaders to remain focused on the mission, vision and values.  The constant pressure to make the quarterly numbers tends to push out the most important long-term growth mechanism which is ensuring that the company’s greatest asset is aligned, engaged, and  energized around the mission.

SUMMARY

Once you have your core values, it’s the “repeating” of and living “consistent” with the firm’s values that’s the most difficult part of the process. A leader must go beyond merely posting the values on the wall and handing out plastic laminated cards. Here are eight ways to keep these values alive and simplify your people systems.

STORYTELLING Everybody enjoys a good story and most great leaders have taught through parable or storytelling. Identify some “legends” and current stories that represent each value. And stories provide the explanation for any core values that might seem unusual or cryptic on their own.

1. STORYTELLING
2. RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION
3. ORIENTATION
4. PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL AND HANDBOOKS
5. RECOGNITION AND REWARDS
6. NEWSLETTERS
7. THEMES
8. EVERYDAY MANAGEMENT