By Amy Protexter / 27 Jun 2019 / Topics: Customer experience
Relatively speaking, the majority of companies offer their employees similar benefits. (Take health insurance and 401(k) plans, for example.) To be truly unique, however, a company’s people — especially its leaders — must foster a culture that promotes a sense of belonging.
At Insight, our culture is steeped in our values of hunger, heart and harmony. For me, and for most of Insight’s teammates, these values create a shared connection that makes us feel like we’re among friends. But it goes beyond that, giving us a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
What we value: See how hunger, heart and harmony define our culture.
To truly feel connected, you need a personal experience with the values. As stated in an Inc. article, Living Values Every Day: How Values Influence the Way We Work and Live, “Values shouldn't be a static statement sitting on a page. They must be brought to life in the way people and organizations do business, make decisions and live their lives.”
The best way to do that is to regularly champion the company values and to recognize employees for living them in their daily interactions with each other and with clients.
More insight: Our values are only part of our success story.
Outside of the average workday, many employees quietly live the company values, never seeking any credit, simply because they believe it’s the right thing to do. Sometimes, however, others can’t help but applaud employees’ generous actions. Let me share an example.
While waiting at the airport for a flight home after a company-sponsored trip, an employee’s friend’s flight suddenly got canceled — after the employee had already left. Not only did the friend have to schedule a new flight, but she also had to arrange for emergency overnight childcare and coverage at work due to her extended absence, leaving her overwhelmed.
Without any hesitation, two Insight teammates who recognized the woman from the company trip swooped in to help. They assisted her in rebooking her flight and reserving a hotel room. They even drove her to the hotel.
“My feelings of being overwhelmed immediately dissipated,” she said, “when they simply went out of their way, for someone they hardly knew, and took me under their wing. These two gentlemen are true examples of what your organization stands for and values: hunger, heart and harmony. You should be proud of [these] employees.”
I am proud. I’m proud our values aren’t just something on a piece of paper; they’re part of who we are. I encourage you to be a values champion in your office; you might just find a stronger sense of belonging that connects you to your company and colleagues.
For me, seeing our values in action — and knowing they’ve touched someone so profoundly — has been one of my most rewarding and gratifying experiences.
Previously Senior Vice President, North America Marketing, Insight
Amy worked at Insight from 2014 - 2023. Amy is fascinated by ideas and has a talent for connecting ideas into compelling messages. She applies the latest marketing ideas to Insight’s global efforts to support and strengthen the company’s identity as a problem-solving provider that puts clients first.
