Back when I was in college and beginning my trek up the corporate mountain, I worked for a bank, who called themselves “the Relationship People.” They built this ideal around six core values:
- Do more than expected.
- Make a difference.
- Make time for people.
- If something’s wrong, make it right.
- Improve someone’s life.
- Do the right thing.
These six values have stuck with me ever since. In the branch office I where worked, we literally worked these core values into every interaction with our customers and each other. An abbreviated version of the values,
“Meet needs; build relationships,”
was posted in the branch for all of us to see. We each had a placard at our workstation with the core values on them. We were even quizzed on them throughout the workday. As a result, our group was awarded the highest customer service (and customer retention) rating in the city almost every quarter of the four years I worked there. Working with that group of people gave me the plumb line by which I can now determine and build up the cohesiveness of almost any team environment I enter. I owe them so much.
The best part is that I couldn’t ignore or help but to take all that I learned with me into every situation I’ve faced since. I posed a challenge to myself to make these core values a deliberate part of everything I do—from singing and family life to editing and serving my coworkers and authors. I think that is the main difference between values and goals: you attain goals but live by values—and you can’t really attain goals without the corresponding values.
The one thing I haven’t done since arriving in my new career a little over six years ago was redefine these six values and apply them specifically to my role as an editor, so I am going to do that--for myself and for those I serve. I want to be that kind of editor—“the Relationship Editor.” I want to add value. I want to help bring someone’s dream to life. I want to be counted on for honest and growth-oriented feedback. I want to be there for my authors and industry peers. I hope to reintroduce these values in my life as a way of living and working that will produce fruit that not only feeds me but also, and more importantly, nourishes those around me.
What core values drive your work as an editor?