Bridging the Values Gap: How Authentic Organizations Bring Values to Life

by R. Edward Freeman, Ellen R. Auster

Business has a values problem. It’s not just spectacular public scandals like Enron (which, incidentally, had a great corporate values statement). Many companies fail to live up to the standards they set for themselves, alienating the public and leaving employees cynical and disengaged—resulting in lower productivity, less innovation, and sometimes outright corruption.

The reason, argue top scholars and consultants Edward Freeman and Ellen Auster, is that most companies’ values are handed down from on high, with no employee input or discussion. This practically invites disconnects between intention and reality.

To bridge this values gap, Freeman and Auster provide a process, Values through Conversation, that focuses on four key types of values: introspective (reflecting on who we are and how we do things), historical (understanding our past and how it influences us), relational (asking how we can best work together), and aspirational (articulating our hopes and dreams). By developing values through discussions—casual or formal, one-on-one or in groups—VTC ensures that they are dynamic and evolving, not static words on a wall or a website. Freeman and Auster offer advice, real-world examples, and sample questions to help you create values that are authentic and embraced because they are rooted in the lived experience of the organization

216 pages, Hardcover

First published June 15, 2015

About the author

R. Edward Freeman is University Professor and Olsson Professor of Business Administration at the Darden School of the University of Virginia.

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth the read, very interesting. I got a few good ideas but I was looking for more practical ways to reignite and land our values. I am already convinced of the importance of them and the consequences of either behaving or not behaving in a value driven way. So, although these were all interesting stories and case studies, I could have done with more if the practical initiatives successful, value driven companies have done.

[Susan Csoke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an exceptionally good read for anyone who is in any type of business or just simply business minded. Quite Educational. THANK YOU GOODREADS FIRSTREADS FOR THIS FREE BOOK!!!!!