Maybe the Problem Isn’t the Core Values

Josh Patrick says the real problem is people who don’t know how to implement a core-values system.

Good Morning!

Here are today’s highlights:    

• A lot of people owe more money on their cars than they are worth.

• Are you doing all you can to make sure you get paid on time?

• Is it okay to wear your purchases for months and then return them?

• A business in Asheville asks its customers to buy its pottery with no promise of when it might arrive.

THE 21 HATS SOUNDING BOARD

On our Slack channel, Josh Patrick, of The Sustainable Business, took exception with a column highlighted here in which Michael Girdley wrote that most core values are a waste of time: “Core values are a great tool when used properly. I’ve used them in disciplinary conversations and as examples of what we should be doing in our jobs. When used regularly, core values will lead your company to places where your competition won’t or can’t go.”

• Brandon Day of Daycos: “Agree 100 percent. I was annoyed when I read Girdley's newsletter this weekend, and was annoyed again when I saw it in the Morning Report. It should have been labeled ‘The Problem with (Generic and Poorly Implemented) Core Values.’ As with you, I have found Core Values can be incredibly valuable if used right.”

• Josh Patrick: “I have no patience for people who dump on systems and say they don’t work when their implementation is the problem. I’ve seen this with masterminds, customer advisory boards, and values. There are best practices for each, and they’re not hard to find.”

• Shawn Busse of Kinesis: “​​Glad this annoyed others. I wrote a whole chapter in my book about this, and Josh is spot on about the problems. My main point (problem) with all these behaviors is 1) no human being can remember them and 2) you’re treating adults like children.”

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