I don’t run a Fortune 500 or even a Fortune 1000 or Fortune 2000 company.
Nor do I run a sexy tech company with a $1B value.
However, I have had the great fortune of running a small company that provides terrific value to the latter.
And, like those companies, we too have core values we adhere to, which also happen to align nicely with my personal values and code of conduct.
They are as follows:
Trust--do what we say we will do.
Authenticity--don't lie to yourself.
Integrity--do the right thing, always, even if it means sacrificing revenue.
Empathy--seek to understand, even if you've never experienced the other person's circumstance/s.
Caring--do something/anything to help.
Lead--be clear and decisive without fear.
Passion--do things with a strong desire to get them done even if they're hard or boring.
Optimism--things will get better, but not on their own.
Joy--laugh, smile, and have fun when things go well. It’s okay to celebrate wins out loud.
Enthusiasm-it's contagious, so share it when you feel it.
Transparency--be honest and don't hold back even if the response will be unfavorable or fraught with fear or anger.
Drive--pursue greatness for the sake of greatness. It's long-term thinking and goes beyond short-term motivation.
Last year was certainly tougher than most, and never had we had to rely on our core values more, but of all that we were still fortunate enough to accomplish, the thing that makes me the most proud is that we didn't compromise any of our values--even if it meant forgoing significant income in some cases.
So, as we celebrate the start of a new year and look forward to all the winning, we will celebrate that we did it, and will continue to do it--with our value system very much intact.
I hope I'm not alone in that.
Happy 2024!
Now let's get back in the black!
Congratulations! 🎉🎉🎉 National Black MBA Association