Welcome! This toolkit is designed for individuals, leaders and teams to learn more about U-M’s core values, and provide resources to support putting these values into action. Our core values define our identity and purpose, and serve as a compass to guide decision-making, actions and interactions within the organization. Demonstrating these values is essential as we pursue excellence and carry out the university’s mission. This toolkit can be used by a member of a team or a leader of a team. Consider beginning with step one. What if my area has department/unit values? We recognize that schools, colleges, units or teams have their own unique cultures and may have their own set of values that reflect this. U-M’s core values are not intended to replace these values, but to live alongside them. This toolkit provides resources to help individuals and teams understand and communicate how multiple sets of values can live together. Get Started Step 1: Learn about the Values Share this slide deck in a meeting with your team. It provides information about the core values, including how they were chosen, why they are important, and how they can help to create a culture at U-M that fosters trust and provides a strong foundation to live up to our highest ideals. Watch one or more of the videos about the university’s core values. Step 2: Reflect Ask yourself questions about the values. Use the Values Personal Reflection handout to explore how your school, college, unit or team’s values align with the university’s core values. Choose the questions that resonate with you the most or modify them as needed. Consider choosing a different question to reflect on a regular basis (daily, weekly, monthly) and keep a journal of your thoughts. Step 3: Have a Team Discussion Engage your team in a discussion about the university’s core values. Here is a list of activities to choose from: Lead a Group Activity about Values in Action Build on personal reflections to identify what the U-M core values can look like within a specific school, college, unit or team. Collectively determine actionable ways to reinforce and promote the values. Recommended group size: 2+ Time: 45+ minutes Make sure participants also have a copy of the Values in Action Worksheet and the Example Behaviors (dark background) or the Example Behaviors (light background) document Lead a Group Discussion about U-M’s Core Values Engage your members of your team, school, college or unit in meaningful discussion about U-M’s core values. Recommended group size: 2+ Time: 10+ minutes Host a Values Conversation Club An easy-to-implement format that uses a video about a topic of interest to guide team conversations. A collection of videos about the values is available that can be featured in a conversation club, along with questions to engage teams in meaningful discussion. You could also consider using the Culture Journey Podcast to engage your team in discussion. Recommended group size: 2-100 Time: 30 minutes Share Values Stories and Recognize Values in Action Create intentional opportunities for team members to share stories of when they have observed the values in action. Encourage team members to recognize and thank others for modeling the values. Use stories to start team meetings, or share in team communication channels such as bulletin boards, Slack channels or listservs. We also share some stories about values in action in the Culture Journey Podcast, you could also use an episode as a starting point for your discussion. Recommended group size: 2+ Time: 5+ minutes Values Mentorship Pair up with a teammate to be “values mentors” for each other. Talk about how you use core values in your work and share tips and stories about challenges or successes. Recommended group size: 2 Time: Monthly or quarterly cadence of 30+ minutes Values Journal Keep a values reflection journal and encourage others to do the same. Use the questions in Step 2 as prompts, or jot down instances where you observed or applied U-M’s core values in your daily work. Periodically share and discuss reflections as a team. Recommended group size: 2+ Time: 20 minutes Resources Promote the Values Use the Culture Journey digital and print tools to promote the values in your area Zoom backgrounds Email signature mark Agenda and email templates Slide deck to introduce the values Posters featuring the university’s values, clarifying statements and behaviors Place a Culture Journey swag order for your department Build Your Skills Visit our Learn & Engage page to register for an upcoming culture change course. Get Updates Stay connected to the Culture Journey by joining our MCommunity email group. Let us Know What you Think We are looking for feedback related to the values toolkit and resources. Let us know what you think in a brief survey.
