As we work in small businesses, a goal of ours is to thrive in under-resourced environments where every contribution makes a meaningful impact. At Evolution Capital Partners, we believe in wisely investing our energy to achieve the greatest returns. When put into action, this value manifests itself as a guiding principle that influences all aspects of our work.
This core value is a great demonstration of how hard work and diligence pay off over the long run. When we consistently apply ourselves and remain steadfast in our pursuits, we can overcome obstacles, achieve our goals and experience the fulfillment that comes from hard-earned success.
What Does “Return on Our Energy” Mean?
Achieving a return on your energy can occur in many forms. Extending beyond traditional measures of success such as financial gains or professional achievements, this value encompasses the broader sense of satisfaction, purpose and positive influence.
While return on energy can be misinterpreted as just pure effort, it’s actually much more than that. We strive to create a culture that allows our team to assess the situation, evaluate options, confer with colleagues and make an effective decision. In business, most decisions are not fatal, but indecision certainly can be. Creating an environment where individuals feel empowered to make decisions, take calculated risks, and learn from both successes and failures can contribute to a more productive and innovative culture.
At Evolution, we recognize the importance of extending this notion of “return on our energy” beyond the boundaries of work. This means that we strive to make a positive impact in the communities in which we live and work, utilizing our individual contributions to uplift and make a difference in under-resourced areas. By consciously incorporating this value into our daily lives, we not only contribute to the collective mission but experience a deep sense of fulfillment and motivation as a result.
How This Core Value Has Come to Life
Evolution has had the opportunity to collaborate with many diverse organizations that face a variety of challenges, each with unique results. Leveraging yourself, or making full use of your resources, is a great example of return on energy. However, you can’t force someone to leverage themselves. The team member must want a positive outcome and put forth the energy toward making it happen.
As an example of this value in action, one organization that we have been working with recently encountered unforeseen challenges in reaching its monthly objectives. Our team engaged in proactive discussions regarding these challenges, emphasizing the significance of goal attainment throughout the company. We shared that if these monthly objectives were met, the team would start to gain momentum, which would provide inspiration to those involved. Following these discussions, the organization saw increased momentum that enhanced the team’s overall attitude and enthusiasm.
This experience demonstrates that sometimes going the extra mile is crucial to reap the rewards of energy investment. Being able to witness the results of increased efforts first-hand is very beneficial to this process. Sometimes, that is all it takes to eliminate burnout and increase creativity and inspiration throughout an organization.
The Importance of Establishing Core Values
Establishing core values is essential for individuals, teams and organizations because they serve as guiding principles that shape behavior, decision-making and culture. Core values oftentimes help us align our lives and career paths, while also playing a key role in influencing our thoughts and actions.
For this reason, we strove to create core values that were deeply meaningful to the Evolution team and representative of our business. In particular, the core value “return on our energy” resonates with me because it brings clarity through focus, encourages collaboration and supports effective outcomes. Establishing the right core values for your organization is not only important for long-term success, but it allows people to feel a deeper connection with their work.
What are My Tips for Creating Core Values?
When creating a list of your company’s core values, it’s important to take suggestions from each member of the company and get people inspired. Core values serve as the foundation for your organizational culture, guiding its actions and shaping its identity. If done correctly, you can create a set of core values that truly reflects your organization’s beliefs, resonates with your team, and guides your company’s growth and success for years to come.
It is essential for your core values to be meaningful and memorable so they can be easily embraced both inside and outside of the organization. As your team develops this list, be sure to keep it simple. For example, you may select five values, or you may find that only two or three strong values are sufficient for your business. From there, you can develop context and actions around these values. Remember, your core values should be motivational, but they should also accurately represent your company as a whole.
