I must admit I always struggled with writing down what the core values for my company BackPocket COO would be. In fact, I found it easier to put them in place for companies I’ve built in the past because I had teams of people. Now my company is me, and some awesome virtual people doing design, research, assistance, SEM, writing, etc.
A few months ago after helping a client’s company nail their core values I was on a flight home, and I realized the core values for my company were already inside me, I just had to close my eyes, and feel them. Then in a rush, they came out:
Do What You Love – Be Authentic – Deliver What You Promise – Balance Is Key
Once I scribbled them down, I knew they were right. They were values I already lived by and felt energized by. They fit like my Saturday comfy hangover jeans and sweatshirt do.
Do What You Love – is based on the concept of Unique Ability by Dan Sullivan. Coaching, Mentoring & Speaking are fun for me. I’m great at them. I get energized doing them. And others get energy watching me. I love em. And I’d do them for free – but my kids like to eat.
Be Authentic – It drives me nuts when people put on a game face, or a professional voice etc. I’ve always found that when people are REALLY themselves, they resonate with everyone around them. My energy vibrates when I’m being me. I become a magnet, and I know it. When I wear what I want, say what I mean, and let my vulnerabilities out, others are attracted to me – and I am to them. It feels great being me. Besides, I might as well be myself, everyone else is taken.
Deliver What You Promise – Period. Nuff said. If I need to explain this one – ummm, we can’t be friends.
Balance Is Key – I get one life. And I’m not going to live it working 65 hour weeks any more. I once did 117 hours in a week and wore it like a badge of honor. What an ass I was back then. Now I try to live by a couple mantras: 1) Remain Interested to Remain Interesting (thanks Jillian Dixon Boxer) and 2) The Lazy Entrepreneur (thanks Dave Feller). I know ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ but damn it, I do to…
What are your core values ?
Tennis anyone ?
Cameron Herold is the founder of BackPocketCOO.com and former COO of 1-800-Got-Junk?. You can follow him on twitter @cameronherold and visit DoubleDoubleTheBook.com to get his new book to double your revenue and profit in less than 3 years.
