Values Norms and Goals Britt Andreatta Ph D
Values, Norms, and Goals Britt Andreatta, Ph. D.
Values Defined Values are “the entire collection of a person’s attitudes, beliefs, opinions, hopes, fears, prejudices, needs, desires, and aspirations that, taken together, govern how one behaves. ” ~ Mitchell, 1983 Values are “those elements which show a person has decided to use his/her life. ” ~ Raths, Harmin, & Simon, 1966
Work Values “Work values are those enduring dimensions or aspects of our work that we regard as important sources of satisfaction. ” ~ Figler, 1979
Organizational Values § Organizational values and beliefs are shared by members of an organization. § They operate unconsciously and define in a basic “taken for granted” manner an organization’s view of itself and its environment.
Org Values Displayed 1. Visible output of an organization • Mission statement, Constitution, by-laws, Overt behavior of individuals 2. Communications and justifications of behaviors • People justify behaviors • Values get proposed and tested 3. Becomes an organizational value • Tried and tested values become basic assumptions • Guide behavior • Tell group members how to perceive, think, and feel about things • Tend to be non-confrontable and non-debatable
Development of Norms § As values develop and stabilize for the organization, norms and standards arise § Norms are expectations that explicitly or implicitly act to influence behavior § Norms create conformity among members of a group § Norms begin with individual’s expectations § These merge with others’ expectations to produce “rules” about behavior § Norms relate to behavior, but emerge from values, attitudes, beliefs, feelings
How Values & Norms Are Conveyed § Formal documents § Work/meeting environment » Appearance of people » Physical space § Leadership, role modeling, training, coaching’ § Explicit reward and status systems, recognition techniques, promotion criteria, awards § Stories, myths, legends, parables
How Values & Norms Are Conveyed § What leaders pay attention to § Leaders’ reaction to critical incidents § How the organization is designed – org. chart § Organizational systems – how people are trained § Criteria used for recruitment, selection, promotion, termination, retirement § Organizational communication – patterns, jargon
How Leaders Set Values & Norms § Create expectations for what is to be done § Helps organization succeed if properly communicated § Some say leadership is the creation and management of values and norms § Values and norms create the basis for goals
Goals § Statements of what the organization or group wants to accomplish within a specified length of time, with an identifiable, measurable result. § A desired future condition § Broad in focus, but still realistic/challenging § Relates to mission/values § Goal statements start with “to” (improve, conduct, create)
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