As we begin to put 2020 behind us perhaps now is a good time to consider how we internalize the values in our organizations.

“Just start celebrating what you value. People will value what you celebrate, and they will celebrate what you value.”

Andy Stanley

I love Xfinity’s campaign on this theme.

“Every individual is different. Everybody has a story to tell. Our job is to listen and to do what we can to make their lives better. This year those surprises mean even more.”

I’ve recently been reading, “Breakfast with Fred,” the conversations and ideas of Fred Smith, Sr., a mentor for many leaders such as Zig Ziglar, Philip Yancey, John Maxwell and my friend Steve Brown. When Fred was in his early twenties, he visited a cemetery and asked himself what he would want the epitaph on his tombstone to read. It was at that moment he chose the phrase that would set his life direction…

He stretched others.

That stretching led Fred to value conversations and the sharing of insights and wisdom. So much so that he compiled “Breakfast with Fred” to continue those conversations even though his health was declining.

What does your organization value? How do you demonstrate that within your hallways?

In more than 20 years in our format I can count on one hand the number of hallways that were not adorned with pictures of artists or gold records from the music industry, station awards, and maybe a glossy photo of a deejay or two. Rarely do I see a hallway decorated with reminders that celebrate the station’s WHY and photos of those we serve.

But 2020 is almost behind us and we have the hope of a new and better year! It’s not too late to start celebrating what you say you really value!