At Mahalo, we talk a lot about our company values: Innovation, Harmony, Authenticity, Passion, Initiative and Accountability. We reference these regularly in our team meetings, in 1:1 sessions with our managers, and even as a way to work through difficult conversations.
In a recent 1:1 with my manager, it was brought to my attention that I often reference another set of similar values that were introduced to me at a young age by my father Chip: The Golden Rules, or Chip-isms, as we’ve come to call them.
My Dad is a retired Captain in the United States Coast Guard. Over the course of his 30-year career, he developed these rules to provide a framework for how to succeed under his command and also to inspire, though I doubt he would admit the latter was intentional. I watched him deliver his “Golden Rules” speech as his crew stood before him, and I remember feeling so lucky that I had such a kind and compassionate role model in my life.
Consideration, Empathy and Reasonableness (Rule #1) were words my sisters and I heard often, and while I didn’t realize it when I was younger, these words shaped the core values that would guide me into adulthood. I have them posted at my desk and refer to them often as I process business successes and challenges. I repeat them to my children before I drop them off at school and as reminders when they have challenges of their own. Whenever I am unsure about a decision, or stuck in a rut, I pull them up and can usually find the clarity I need.
I am forever grateful to my Dad (and Mom of course!) for giving me a foundation of integrity and compassion to guide me through life. I’ve carried those values into my professional life and they have served me well.
I am also grateful to have found a company whose values are so aligned to the ones I was raised with. My Dad’s Golden Rule #1 matches Mahalo’s value of harmony, defined by “fluid, respectful and positive interactions” with regards to our work. Multiple Chip-isms reflect the importance of showing and sharing passion and initiative – for learning and for change.
Two of Dad’s values, to sign your work and take responsibility, embody the value of accountability, on which Mahalo places a lot of value. Its something we all struggle with at times, but Dad taught me to always think of it as a positive and even honorable quality.
Finally, Dad’s rule “Show how you feel” gets to the very core of Mahalo as a business. We are committed to leading authentic lives, delivering truth to our clients, coworkers and vendors at every opportunity.
Here is the list of Golden Rules to lean upon when you need guidance, or need affirmation that you’re taking the right path. I hope you find them as useful and inspiring as I have.
Be considerate, empathetic, and reasonable. Recognize that you affect people around you. Be aware of them. Consider and give credence to their point of view. Try to feel what they feel. Then let your behavior strike that reasonable balance between your wants and responsibilities, and theirs.
Be a student and a teacher. We all have more to learn. Be a sponge. Listen to, observe, and critically examine the world and the people around you. At the same time, recognize that we are all unique and valuable. We all have something to give. Don’t be selfish with your knowledge and individual experience. Share.
Question why. Challenge everything. Demand justification for everything you do. Force your supervisor to make you understand how your world of work contributes to the bigger picture. If that explanation cannot be found, change is indicated. And change, though often uncomfortable, is vital to improvement and growth. Be an engine for change.
Take responsibility. Don’t underestimate your ability to influence. We all have a voice. We all have a stake in the business. If change is needed, take responsibility for it, find the person with the decision power, and apply yourself towards achieving the outcome you desire. There is no “they” in our world. There is only you, me, and us.
Show how you feel. We all feel. Our feelings are neither good nor bad. They just are. Many of us, especially the men, think suppressing our feelings is a sign of strength and toughness. Nothing could be further from the truth. Revealing our feelings is an act of confidence, courage, and trust. After all the analysis, most decisions ultimately come from the heart. Trust your heart.
Look down for direction. Don’t waste a minute of your day wondering how to please your boss. It’s his or her job to make expectations clear. Rather, look to those who work for you, and ask yourself what you can do for them. This takes initiative, discipline, and careful thought.
Sign your work. All work, done well, is honorable. Whatever the task, from the most lofty to the most lowly, it deserves your very best. Allow your work to reflect your personal standards of quality and integrity.
