A business which makes profitability its goal is confusing the end with the means. Foundation values describe what we need to have in place to have a sound basis to our lives and to be able to perform effectively. Typical foundation values include Safety, Security, Self-worth and Belonging. Focus values are those priorities we operate out of when we have a solid foundation and are where we put most of our energy. Future values represent those things to which we aspire and provide the motivation to develop new skills and competencies.
Future values can also act powerfully on current focus values.
They give meaning to what you are doing right now. Organizations have used values identification and alignment programmes to increase the commitment that their staff are willing to give to the organization, to raise the organization's vision and performance ceiling, and to align the organization behind the same set of priorities. The VMI can determine the values which are important to individuals, teams and organizations and uncover the values embedded in the organization's documents. Any approach to articulating organizational values must take account of people's current values. It must recognise that people will only commit to an organization's values and vision when they first know what their own value priorities are and can align them with the organization's.