I heard an interesting talk the other day by David Logan the co-author of Tribal Leadership.  Unfortunately I can not share the talk I heard, but here he is on TED.  The big takeaway I had was that the key to developing strong successful businesses was in uncovering shared values and using those values to guide decision making.  Having shared common values unites a group around something bigger than themselves.  These values can be something noble like giving to the poor or they may just be valuing fun and creativity.  The value itself does not matter.  The important point is that there is something larger than the self which is respected, rewarded, and followed by the group.

Personally I saw this in action the other day.  I was asked to speak to a networking group.  However before I gave my speech, the group discussed their desire to create a new name for their gathering.  Instead of giving my talk, the attendees happily accepted my offer to facilitate them in this naming process.  Instead of jumping into the creative process, first I helped them define a mission and vision for the group.  It was incredible to see how the attendees began to align and synthesize as the values of the group came to the surface.  Of course, growing one’s business was a core function of the group but what arose was that the group valued personal relationships.  The desire to connect with other individuals on a personal intimate level was the foundation of this group.  As this value rose to the surface, I could see the group coming together in a way they had not before.

In recent Find and Follow Your Bliss life purpose workshops and my upcoming book Gray Matters, I teach that experiential values are the key to having purpose in one’s life.  The same is true for your business.  Yes, a business is in existence to serve a need and make money.  That is a given.  But what makes an amazing business is when there is an experiential value all of the co-workers share.  The experiential value is true purpose of the business.  It is why the employees get up in the morning and why they give that extra little bit every day.  This value becomes a guiding light for the company’s goals, decision making, and employee and customer relations.  It is the basis of the company’s brand personality.  As businesses are able to center the company culture around an experiential value, they see moral improve and politics diminish.  It is a wonderful productive state.

What are the common values of your business?   What culture are you creating?  How are you helping your employees gather around a singular value?

I am sure we have all heard of or read O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi at some time in our lives.  It is the story of a young couple who sacrifice to give to each other.  I think a lot of families relate more and more to this story.  The opulence we Americans used to enjoy is fading and many of us are making hard decisions around the holidays.  But this time of sacrifice can also be a time to truly give.  I am sure any parent can relate to their favorite present from their child not being a lavish expensive store bought item.  But that it was a work of love covered in colored macaroni noodles and glitter.  One of the best gifts I received last year was homemade bread from my niece who is an aspiring baker.  She made a basket specific for each family member and I was touched that she gave me more fruit and homemade apple butter instead of two loaves of bread because of my desire to eat less gluten.  It was her caring thought that meant more to me than any other present that year.

So how are you giving this year?

Did you spend all of your holiday dollars on Black Friday or Cyber Monday?  Or did you perhaps join in the second annual American Express sponsored Small Business Saturday and patronize your locally owned stores?  Why not grab a gift card from your favorite local pancake house, greasy spoon, or special occasion restaurant?  Or could “I love you” be said through a haircut, oil change, lawn mowing, snow removal, house cleaning, or dog walking gift certificate?

Or are you showing your love by making a donation to a worthy cause in the name of someone you care about?

How about opting out spending cash this year by making gifts instead of buying them?  If you can’t make them yourself, how about attending a craft fair and supporting local artisans?

Does giving mean time instead of money this year?  Time to visit an ill relative, helping out at a shelter, or just being together with your family and friends.  Are you thinking of sharing experiences instead of giving things?  Remember when putting up the tree was not a nagging to-do, but a family experience?  Could decorating for the holidays be a time to share, laugh, and gather instead of a time to stress and max our credit cards?

How are you going to rethink giving this year?