Values Evolution Blueprint

Draft

Hey team! As we are {insert business context}, we wanted to take a minute to reflect on our core values and behaviours, aka how we do our best work together here at {Company Name}. It is especially important right now for us to align on this because {insert reason + CEO quote}. We are going to approach this in 3 parts: 1. Part 1: A short survey to gather your thoughts and reflections (this week) 2. Part 2: A series of group workshops to unpack this (this month) 3. Part 3: Draft feedback, launch and documentation ({insert month}) We will be launching the survey tomorrow so look out for that in {insert slack channel}. The survey will be open for 3 days until {insert date and time}. We will read every response. Responses are anonymous and we will share the results as we progress through this piece of work. Thanks, Your name

Draft

Hey team! As part of our values design project that I mentioned yesterday {link to previous message}, I am excited to share the survey for part 1 of 3. Why: {reinforce business context, e.g. importance for the business to look at this now} What: an opportunity for you to shape the design of our future culture at {Company Name} How: please take some time to complete the survey below. It should take about 10 minutes. Survey here [link] This will be open for the next 3 days until {insert date and time}. Responses are anonymous, and we will read every single one. The insights will directly feed the group workshops we run later in the month to design our new values. Thank you, Your name

Core questions (blend EVP and values design)

• -Think of someone on your team you have admired recently. What made you think of them? What words would you use to describe how they work?
• -What day-to-day behaviours on your team inspire you?
• -What behaviours do not work well here?
• -When have we done our best work together? What made it possible?
• -When have we not done our best work together? What got in the way?

Reference

Open Org sample Typeform: https://form.typeform.com/to/vBaVD5T8

Objective

Guide the team through a structured sense-making session using the survey data to uncover the operating principles that define how we do our best work.

Pre-session preparation

• -Notion memo: ensure attendees have reviewed aggregated survey results
• -Miro column 1: Key themes from survey (pre-filled)
• -Miro column 2: Operating principles drafts (co-created)
• -Miro column 3: Concrete behaviours as do's and don'ts

1. Framing and intent (5 min)

Welcome and purpose: we are here to translate our values into clear operating principles that guide how we work best together. Rules of engagement: focus on synthesis, not debate. Prioritise clarity over perfection.

2. Pattern recognition (15 min)

• -Silent sorting: participants place sticky notes under relevant key themes
• -Cluster and name: refine clusters with short, memorable phrases
• -Dot voting: 3 votes each for the most important themes

3. Drafting operating principles (20 min)

• -Small groups select 1-2 themes and draft an operating principle (simple, action-oriented)
• -Principles should answer: how do we work best? What do we need to be successful?
• -Share back and iterate, then dot vote (3 votes each)

4. Making it actionable (15 min)

• -For each principle: what does this look like in practice?
• -Express behaviours as do's and don'ts (e.g. Do: give constructive feedback in real time. Don't: store up feedback for annual reviews.)
• -Dot vote to identify the 3-5 most critical behaviours

5. Close and next steps (5 min)

Summarise top principles and behaviours. Outline next steps (refining wording, testing with broader teams). Confirm how principles will be embedded.

Facilitator tips

• -Keep discussions focused with timeboxing
• -Push for specificity, avoid generic statements
• -Encourage all voices and balance participation
• -Capture everything and use dot voting for consensus