Honor Code
I was reading the "ABC's of building a Business Team that Wins" - the invisible code of honor that takes ordinary people and turns them into a championship team. I started reading it because I wanted to get a better understanding on how best to deal with the people I work with. I know I have a pretty dominating personality and I also know that even though I am always right - in my world - I'm not always right in other people's world and sometimes I need to see the world through their eyes.
An interesting point that the book makes is that not everyone plays the game by the same rules. That's not to say their rules are wrong, just that it will cause confusion and maybe resentment when the whole team is trying to play together.
Here is an example - getting to a meeting on time:
- Some people - like me, think getting to a meeting 10 minutes early gives you time to get ready and set up for the meeting.
- Others think that walking in the door as the clock hits meeting time is on time - even though it is going to take another 5-10 minutes to get your coffee, find a pen, etc.
- Where others feel within the first 15 minutes is close enough.
No one is really wrong, however the early birds are annoyed at the late comers, and the late comers don't even know what the problem is, because in their eyes, in their world they were just fine.
Writing a code of honor gives all members of the team a chance to voice their opinion, and best of all decided if they want to be part of the team. (As a side note, this is a good way to get rid of dead wood - if you don't want to play by the rules you are free to leave). Of course this works best when you are hiring new people, so all you small businesses out there that are planning on growing take some time now to get your code of honor written down so when you hire new people you will know that everyone is on the same page, playing by the same rules.
I asked the people in my company to write down 5 rules they felt were important, what amazed me is that they wrote down things that they felt they needed to work on. It was as thought they were looking forward to being held responsible. Maybe it is easier to do the right thing if you know you will be called out if you don't…
Here are some of the rules we've started with:
- Treat our customers as we would like to be treated, with dignity and respect
- Be upfront with mistakes, they happen. But correct them as soon as they are found
- Help other team members when they ask for it when you can
- Say please and thank you to everyone in the company and to our clients
- Love what you do, remember it shows.
- When being critical - do it nicely
- Be proud of your job
- Personal development is important for the growth of the company
- Focus on your strengths – do what you are good at.
The process of developing an Honor Code is not something you do in one meeting, and it's not something that is going to be written in stone. However once a rule has been written and it is in the code, people must be help accountable to it. If it seems it is not working you can always re-write the code but until then you must uphold the code.
It is also important to keep the code posted in plain sight, and referred to on a regular basis so that everyone knows it is a valuable part of your business and that everyone takes it seriously. Most importantly EVERYONE is held accountable, managers, bosses, owners, etc. everyone must be held accountable for the code to work. If you feel you are above the code, then you will loose the respect of the company and the honor will die.
Go ahead and start writing your code today!
Please comment, I would love to hear your rules,
Natalie
www.morrismc.com