Guiding principles shapes the culture, decision-making processes, and relationships within organizations, not only with its employees but clients, stakeholders and in the communities in which they serve and live.

As a board member of Oklahoma Ethics Consortium over the past 15 years, I have benefited from the organization’s guiding principle. I commend the founders for their insight and wisdom when they founded this organization over 20 years ago. Our board holds to these principles, and it has a been a delight to be a part of this organization.

Here are the guiding principles that make this organization great.

Responsible to self and others – Service, Collaboration, and respect.

As a board member these principles flow though our thought processes as we serve one another helping us to develop a sense of collaboration and respect fostering trust and more effective team with focused guideline’s.

Companies and boards that embrace core principles create an environment where members are challenged to think beyond themselves. Which is an important thing.

To Lead with integrity – Dependability, initiative, honor, and courage.

Leadership with integrity is about making decisions that align with the guiding principles and values, even in challenging situations. Dependability and initiative signify that leaders take actions and follow through on commitments. Honor and courage demonstrate the ability to stand by one’s principles, even in the face of adversity.

Inspiring Trust

Trust is the result of leading with integrity and being responsible to others. When leaders and employees act dependable with honor and courage, they serve others with respect and trust naturally develops. Trust fosters positive relationships, enhances collaboration, and drives organizational success.

How do companies spread these messages:

Training and development programs. Invest in programs that teach employees how to apply these principles in their work. For example, scenario-based learning where employees practice managing ethical dilemmas can deepen understanding.

Internal communications. Newsletters, blogs, town hall meetings where leaders emphasize the importance of these principles can ensure the message reaches everyone in the organization.

Modeling by leadership. Leaders are key in setting the tone. When leadership acts with integrity, demonstrates dependability and shows respect for others, they serve as role models for the rest of the company.

Recognition and rewards. Companies and organizations can recognize and rewards employees who exemplify these values, either by formal awards or more informal praise to help them act on these guiding principles.

Employee Engagement. Over forum, feedback mechanisms and surveys can ensure employees feel valued and the opportunity to express how these principles play out in their daily work.

Accountability mechanisms. Establishing a clear code of ethics, setting expectations, and holding everyone from the highest to lowest levels accountable helps to ensure these principles are not only communicated, but followed consistently.

How these core values fit together. These principles are deeply interconnected, with each reinforcing the others.

They build a foundation of positive relationship within the board, organization, or company.

They build relationship built on trust, dependability, and transparency, creating a framework in which service and collaboration thrive.

They ensure that a positive environment persists and grows with mutual trust in leadership and the members to act in this way throughout the organization.

Companies that embrace these principles, believe they are not just words on a wall; they represent a comprehensive approach to creating a respectful, ethical, and collaborative culture. When these principles are personified by the leadership and spread throughout the organization through communication, training, recognition, and accountability, they can help build an organization where trust, integrity, and collaboration flourish.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Col 3:23. This verse emphasizes dedication, excellence, and commitment to values that support a healthy and effective organization.