Organizational health is often a messy process, and it requires a great deal of intentionality. As in any relationship, for a team’s health to be sustainable, we and others on the team need to make subtle adjustments at various crossroads. What you choose to do during challenges, difficulties, and opportunities will determine your growth and experience. That is the case with all of life. 

In this episode, I talk about the responsibility of choosing to work within the values and vision of our team.  

The Choice to Fit the Values of the Larger Team

When you take a job or develop a relationship with a friend, a significant other, or a child, entering into that relationship will always require adjustment. If we are going to relate well, we have to make adjustments to accommodate the needs and visions of others. When you join a team, you demonstrate responsibility by accommodating your behavior to fit the values of the team.

For example, a client of mine had an employee who, over time, began to demonstrate repeated unproductive behavior, meaning behaviors not aligned with the larger team’s values or vision. The employee’s manager explained the impact their behavior was having on the team, and the employee was given the opportunity to shift and adjust the behavior. They instead chose to continue the unproductive behavior. They did not choose to responsibly make the subtle adjustments needed to work within the values of the larger team.

Entrepreneurs Are No Exception

If you are an entrepreneur, and more specifically a solopreneur, you are not exempt from the process. You will have to make adjustments to accommodate the needs and personalities of your audience and clients.

If we’re going to relate well, we must adjust.

Choose Organizational Health, but Don’t Choose a Wrong Fit

Making adjustments for the team’s values is a demonstration of responsibility to the community, the vision, and the relationships you are entertaining. If you are unwilling to adjust to fit easily into the population you are joining, it’s very likely that you will also find yourself unwelcome there or unable to sustain the relationship in healthy ways. 

On the flip side, don’t try to make yourself fit with teams that don’t share your core values. If you find a fit, exercise intentional responsibility in making subtle adjustments toward a healthy organization by bringing your best self to your team.

How Do You Know if It’s a Good Fit?

If you want to give yourself the best chance for success, learn the values of the company you are joining, the friends you are entertaining, or the love you are courting. Do your values align easily with theirs? If there are stark differences in expectations of behavior, that should be a red flag that informs your response.

Asking good questions is always a key to revealing vision and values in any relationship. Here are a few good ones to ask when you are inviting someone to work and walk with you or when you are being invited to join a group:

1. What values are most important to you? To this team?
2. How do those values play out in daily interactions?
3. What is it about me that makes you feel like I align with those values?

Your Mission, if You Choose to Accept It

Do yourself and those around you a favor. Don’t try to make yourself fit in with people or teams that do not share your core values. There will rarely be an absolutely perfect fit. Even the healthiest connections require some measure of adjustment. If you find a fit, exercise responsibility in adjusting to the opportunity you are given in a relationship.

Every invitation to a relationship, to friendship, or to be a part of a team or a vision requires a response. Every response requires some demonstration of ability. Therefore, every opportunity invites us to grow in responsibility. 

A better you, better team, better business, and better life is possible, but the choice is yours.

Until next time, lead well!

Bill

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