These principles set out the values behind the Love at Work Standard, making it possible for you to interpret that and thereby recognise what a Love at Work Environment would look like in any organisation.
Organisations are no more nor less than groups of people united by a common vision, mission or purpose. Therefore the more developed the people within them, the more developed the organisation. This is why Love at Work makes a real difference in people’s lives and, by extension, in any organisation.
It’s possible to recognise, but not necessarily articulate, a Love at Work (L@W) environment wherever you might be in an organisation. The Principles and Standard create a bench mark for you to strive for and to help you evaluate the near intangible. At the same time we always need to bear in mind the possibility of our natural human frailty.
When the Principles are fully at work there will be no separation between life outside work and life inside work. They become one – creating a balanced life.
THE EIGHT PRINCIPLES:
1. Integrity
Integrity is:
Having strong moral principles and consistently doing what we know to be right
and can be recognised by:
There being a feeling that doing what’s right is the only thing worth doing
People feeling their colleagues actually want to help
There being a feeling of deep care and respect throughout the organisation
Everyone doing what they say they are going to do, when they say they are going to do it
2. Kindness
Kindness is:
Being friendly, considerate and generous of spirit
and can be recognised by:
An attitude of humility, listening and supportiveness
The genuine care for people in the organisation being tangible
People feeling their colleagues actually want to help and support them
People feeling good in who they are as human beings
People getting the feeling they are cared about and cared for
There being a sense of kindness in the way everybody treats each other
Common courtesy being the norm
People being treated well when they are unwell and encouraged to return to wellness
The formal sickness policy extending well beyond the legal requirement
3. Fairness
Fairness is:
Treating people with equality, justice and reasonableness
and can be recognised by:
There being a positive assumption that people will always give of their best
Mistakes always being seen only as learning experiences
Home-working, where appropriate, always being an option
Genuine time and effort being put into people who aren’t “on message”
The leadership being transparent in its communication
4. Self Knowledge
Self Knowledge is:
Understanding our self, our motives and character
and can be recognised by:
Individuals recognising and utilising their strengths to maximum effect
Each person also recognising their weaknesses and being willing to work on and minimise them
A genuine plan being in place to support and encourage people’s personal development
The owners, directors or principles genuinely buying into the idea that people matter most, thereby supporting their development
The whole leadership team buying into and supporting the principles of Love at Work
There being a thorough individual assessment and development system with regular, well monitored reviews
5. Heart
Heart is:
An accurate self-image combined with our capacity for love and acceptance
and can be recognised by:
People genuinely looking after their colleagues and business partners with the same care they look after their family and friends
Each person treating everyone else with a common courtesy and kindness which makes it easier to do the things everyone needs to do
This extending to customers and clients, engendering in them a desire to deal with the organisation
People being encouraged to build friendships
People’s support for one another being maintained when the pressure is on
6. Patience
Patience is:
Accepting that not everything can happen immediately or at once
and can be recognised by people:
Listening to each other
Finding the time to answer each others questions
Coaching and mentoring others
Everything feeling right with a quiet, contented hum of activity when you walk in
A sense of harmony
Exuding positive energy
Setting achievable timelines
7. Action
Action is:
Wisdom and timeliness in creating results
and can be recognised by people:
Knowing they are accountable
Understanding that the project or job in hand is all important
Enjoying a healthy challenge and delivering on their promises
Noticing when someone is struggling and doing something about it
Knowing Love at Work affects the bottom line and ROI (Return on Investment)
Knowing Love at Work affects their interaction with customers or clients
Seeing the leadership roll up its sleeves to work alongside other members of staff
Everyone having everything they need to do their job well
Success being openly celebrated for everyone
8. Communication
Communication is:
Clearly speaking our truth and listening to the truth of others
and can be recognised when:
People communicate well when the pressure is on
Everyone in the organisation meets regularly as a team
Even the quiet ones are encouraged and get to contribute
Meetings are run in a supportive way with a clear outcome
People look forward to team meetings
People feel they can comfortably ask questions of their colleagues
The leaders frequently speak to everybody in their team and at least once a day
People get to have quality time with their line manager
The most senior people in the company are always accessible
People are encouraged to articulate their ideas clearly
Internal email is kept to an absolute minimum
Business is never conducted by email if it can be done face to face
