How Values Shape Employee Engagement and Leadership Success in Business
You’re only as good as your people. When they say there is no ‘I’ in team, that is what they mean. When employee engagement and effective leadership merge, these essential ingredients build long-term success for an organisation. As organisations strive to build cohesive teams and strong workplace cultures, one element plays a key role: values. More than just words on a website or a mission statement, a company’s values shape the experiences of its employees and influence how leaders approach decision-making.
During a recent interview, Donna Price, Carlton Football Club’s General Manager, People, Culture and Community, shared valuable insights into how her organisation’s commitment to core values has shaped its success. Her reflections offer important lessons for any business that wants to prioritise employee engagement and lead effectively through values-based leadership.
Values as the foundation of business culture
A business’s values aren’t just corporate jargon—they can define the way employees experience their workplace. As Donna put it, “We actually asked our people what mattered most to them,” emphasising that understanding the values and priorities of employees is key to creating a workplace culture that employees feel proud to be a part of. When companies take the time to ask employees what matters most to them and use that information to define their core values, they foster a sense of ownership and connection among the team.
In successful businesses, values go beyond simple statements; they are integrated into the company’s day-to-day operations and culture. Whether it’s respect, innovation, or integrity, living out these values in real ways creates a culture where employees feel supported and recognised for their contributions. As Donna shared, “We spin a wheel once a month where we have staff members that do some amazing things,” showing how celebrating employee efforts that align with core values can reinforce positive behaviours and create a sense of community within the organisation.
The role of values in employee engagement
Engaged employees are more productive, innovative, and loyal. However, engagement isn’t just about offering perks or benefits; it’s about creating a work environment that aligns with employees’ values. When employees see that their personal values align with those of the business, they are more likely to be committed to the company’s mission.
Donna’s insights reveal that by taking a values-based approach, her organisation has built a culture of loyalty and engagement. “We really came away with real clarity around what our people valued most,” she explained, highlighting how this understanding allowed the business to connect with employees on a deeper level. This alignment can lead to low turnover rates and high employee satisfaction—a clear indicator that values-based engagement works.
Creating shared experiences that reinforce the company’s values is also essential to building engagement. Donna talked about how her organisation connected with employees through meaningful events, such as family involvement and recognition programs. These efforts created stronger bonds between the company and its employees, contributing to long-term loyalty.
Businesses looking to improve engagement must take a similar approach—listening to what employees value most, embedding those values into the culture, and providing opportunities for employees to connect meaningfully with the organisation.
Leadership grounded in values
These initiative start from the top down. Values-based leadership goes beyond driving business results; it’s about making decisions that align with the company’s principles and guiding the organisation with integrity.
Donna discussed the challenges that come with being a leader who stays true to values, stating, “It can take days, weeks, months, even years to build trust, but you can lose it in a second.” Trust is fragile, and leaders who do not consistently demonstrate their commitment to the company’s values risk losing credibility with their team.
In values-based leadership, every decision is filtered through the company’s core principles. As Donna pointed out, “How does that sit in line with our values?” is a question leaders should constantly ask themselves. This approach not only reinforces the importance of values but also ensures that decisions are consistent with the company’s long-term vision. When leaders demonstrate a commitment to the company’s values, they earn the trust and respect of their employees, fostering a stronger, more united workplace.
Values-based leadership also requires a balance between achieving business goals and maintaining the well-being of the workforce. By focusing on the development of employees and aligning their needs with the company’s values, leaders can create a healthier, more productive environment where people are motivated to give their best.
The long term impact of values on business success
One of the biggest takeaways from Donna’s reflections is that values aren’t just tools for engagement—they are strategic assets that can drive long-term business success. By embedding values into everything from recruitment to performance reviews, businesses can create cultures where people feel connected, valued, and motivated to stay.
Donna’s approach demonstrated that when leaders live and breathe the values of their company, employees are more likely to follow suit. “We wanted to get to a position where ultimately our people are a competitive advantage,” she explained. Investing in people and aligning business practices with values creates a ripple effect that impacts engagement, retention, and overall business performance.
When businesses prioritise values, they build cultures of trust, loyalty, and high performance. This, in turn, contributes to the bottom line by reducing turnover, improving productivity, and creating a positive brand reputation.
Donna’s reflections on the role of values in shaping employee engagement and leadership success offer important lessons for any business. By embedding values into the fabric of the company, businesses can create an environment where employees feel connected and motivated. Ultimately, when values guide business decisions and behaviors, both employees and leaders thrive—creating a culture that’s built for sustainable growth.
At OnTime, we only partner with those who live and breathe our values. Being aligned in our values is very important to us and we believe we can collaborate with each other in a more effective way when doing so. If you’re interested in how Ontime Delivery Solutions can save your business money, time and headaches, click here to book in a free Fleet XRay where we’ll help you identify the costs of your current transport operation.