“I don’t think there is anything too surprising in that list,” said a senior executive pointing to a slide highlighting his company’s new values while delivering a speech to a group of executives.
“I like your candour,” I thought to myself as the executive was open about his view on the company’s values. However, I don’t think anyone listening to this speech was surprised by his comments as it seems that frankness is part of his style.
However, it also struck me that if this executive knows his company’s values are just like every other company, then shouldn’t he question if they are right for his organisation? Or is the company the same as others?
This reminded me of a time I tested chief executives on their knowledge of their company’s values. I collected a list of values from each leader’s company and then removed the logo to mask the identity of each list. After sanitising the lists, I then redistributed them to the chief executives – only this time I gave each a list of values from a different company.
You would hope that the person at the top of a company would have an intimate knowledge of company values and would have immediately noticed that the list they received was not theirs. However, most thought the list in their hand was their own. Perhaps these leaders did not really know their values. More likely, the values at their company are not really surprising, being just like any other company.
For example, Dnata’s values are: Safety & Security, Service Excellence, Imagination, Performance Driven, Delighting Customers and Respect. They are probably very similar to yours; don’t all businesses have values related to customers, respect, safety, performance and service? Perhaps you title them slightly differently but they are still the same in nature and intent.
Reflecting on this made me question: If everyone’s values are so similar then, why is the practice of them so different?
Values should denote how important something is to a company. They should be guides for employees to take the best action in line with what has been described as significant. Each employee should adhere to them; they are a duty, an obligation. Values promote the organisational concept of right and good in employee behaviour.
Every company has values, the question is: Are the values listed the same as the values carried out? What we experience is a demonstration of the values in the workplace regardless of what is listed. The question you need to ask is whether these values are creating the workplace you desire. If not, there is a disconnect in what you are saying and doing.
If, for example, you say customers or safety is a value then don’t follow through, it is not a value. The mistake comes in hoping that listing values on a poster means people will abide by them. In reality employees live by what is of clear importance to the company, which is determined by what management gives attention to.
Having the privilege to work with different companies nearly every day, I see the posters and other “value” propaganda plastered on the walls. Identifying and advertising values is not a substitute for living them.
The reason several companies can have similar values on their websites and in employee manuals yet have different experiences with them is that few carry out their values. The important issue becomes how to incorporate them rather then pausing after identifying and posting them.
Values without action are just words.
Rectifying this does not require more posters; it is based upon leader behaviour. How you act and lead will determine how others act. Are you familiar with the idea of a “fear” culture? I’ve never seen a company list “fear” as a value, yet too many companies have a fear culture. This is because the leaders build it by the way they lead.
While I cannot speak for all of Dnata’s values, I experience two of them – delighting customers and service excellence – on a near-weekly basis passing through Dubai International Airport. I must admit, it looks like the leaders build it by the way they lead, at least compared to other airport experiences and based on the awards they win.
Let the “values” surprise come from living out what you put on paper. Since you are on display as a leader and your team copies what you do, then live your values as if you were a model displaying a product to consumers.
Tommy Weir is a leadership adviser and author of 10 Tips for Leading in the Middle East and other leadership writings. Follow him on Twitter: @tommyweir
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Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin
When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
MATCH INFO
Jersey 147 (20 overs)
UAE 112 (19.2 overs)
Jersey win by 35 runs
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Mission%3A%20Impossible%20-%20Dead%20Reckoning%20Part%20One
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ACL Elite (West) - fixtures
Monday, Sept 30
Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)
Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)