| Core values are something most consultants and | | | | the mission, the strategic plan, or student needs |
| MBAs promote as necessary and valuable. | | | | evolve. However, "Loving others" will never |
| Therefore, most organizations have them but | | | | change. What are the core values that will |
| seldom refer to them or find them valuable. This | | | | advance the mission, serve the students, and |
| appears to be one of the gaps between theory | | | | change the culture of the school? |
| and practice. | | | | When the core value becomes part of the culture |
| Core values are those 3 - 5 key elements that an | | | | of the school it is time to choose a new core |
| organization regards as of the utmost importance. | | | | value. The core values are stepping-stones to a |
| As a result, many organizations choose obvious | | | | more sustainable future. |
| concepts. As an example, "Loving others" is a | | | | Next Step: Select 3 - 5 concepts that will |
| frequent choice for a parochial school. | | | | strengthen the mission and serve the students |
| The purpose of a core value is to provide a guide | | | | while guiding every decision made at the school |
| when making a decision. No one is going to ask if | | | | (board, staff, donation solicitation, volunteer, event |
| the decision is a loving act before making the | | | | planning, etc.) |
| decision. Being loving is in the DNA of a parochial | | | | Hold everyone accountable for honoring the core |
| school. Yes, there will be times and there are | | | | values and asked the board to reflect on the |
| examples where a parochial school does | | | | values before each vote |
| something that is unloving. How can they avoid | | | | At the end of the year, determine which value(s) |
| infrequent mistakes? It is an institution run by | | | | has become a part of the culture and replace it |
| humans after all. | | | | with a new value or determine how to better |
| The core value will be effective if it reminds us to | | | | instill the value into the culture so it can be |
| reflect on something that is strategic before | | | | replaced next year. |
| making a decision. As an example, a school might | | | | Decisions are made throughout everyday. Core |
| adopt "Student Driven" as a core value. There are | | | | values help keep the decisions synchronized and |
| many loving acts that a Christian school might | | | | supportive of the mission and students without |
| engage in, that are counter to the best interests | | | | the overhead of crosschecking with everyone |
| of the students or a student. | | | | else before doing something. They help promote |
| A loving act might be to forgive a parent for | | | | consistency, coordination, and common purpose. |
| frequently bringing their child to school late. | | | | They create healthy tension and challenge people |
| However, tardiness is counter to the best | | | | to grow in their understanding of how to deal with |
| interests of the student. The school must act in | | | | complex issues (lovingly guiding parents while |
| the best interest of the student (student driven) | | | | serving students). |
| but remain true to the requirements of its faith | | | | If the core values are going to be part of the |
| (treat the parents with love). | | | | culture, it is important to share them with the |
| It is sometimes difficult to lovingly encourage | | | | students and expect them to apply them with |
| parents to act in the best interest of their child | | | | the same rigor as everyone else. They are |
| (your student). However, the mission and the | | | | probably the single largest group in your school. It |
| student will suffer without the full cooperation of | | | | is hard to change the culture of a community |
| the parents. The purpose of the core value is to | | | | without the participation of the majority of the |
| create this healthy tension for the benefit of all. | | | | members. |
| Core values change from time to time as society, | | | | |