JANUARY 16

“One of the greatest challenges of businesses today is creating a culture that is both values-centered and performance-driven. Many business executives believe they must make trade-offs between the two. I don’t buy it.”

—Bill George, retired CEO, Medtronic

GETTING IT STRAIGHT

Every now and then, our kids will announce that it is backwards day. Speech, clothes, hair, walking—it’s all backwards. We remember playing that game, too, as kids. Ironically, some leaders in corporate America are still all turned around.

We’re sure some leader (in a helpful sort of way) has told you before that you must abdicate either your values or your performance standard. You can’t have it both ways.

Sadly, they’ve got it all backwards. Corporate values are intricately intertwined with performance. One directly impacts the other.

Here’s how it really works for the most successful companies: Recognition sharpens employee focus on company values and goals, allowing your work force to get more of the most important things done—and directly boosting performance.

And that’s the truth. Pure and simple.