May I Have a Word with You? …. Values.

 “Values” is a word that I hear often. I hear it when people read from a wallet card they keep. I read it from organizational documentation and hall posters, often completing a trilogy with vision and mission, the three amigos. Some of the “values” read as aspirations of a desired behavior while others set the non-negotiable terms of engagement for all within an enterprise. The most exciting way I can learn about a person’s or groups values is as a spectator. I like to watch. The best time to watch is when something goes wrong or “off the clock.” Both of these conditions reveal lots more than can be gleaned from easy moments or when the boss is watching.

I spent a lot of time across the globe with a customer that takes their values very seriously. Their behaviors and business conduct revealed an inner strength that I ascribe to values. I was continually impressed. That entity is Bechtel Corporation. One value that they live, breath and walk is their commitment to create and sustain a safe environment for their employees, contractors, customers, and the public at large. And here is where my story begins. This one is about a personal hero. He was Chris Haynes, a wonderful leader, husband, father and friend. We lost Chris too soon. Cancer took another wonderful soul away from us. His legacy lives with me and countless others today.

Years ago, I was leading the consulting and training team that enabled Bechtel to deploy one of the most impressive and sustainable Six Sigma programs anywhere. Bechtel’s performance improvement numbers outpaced comparable statistics from the giants of Six Sigma. We always had senior and belt specific leadership attend the first day of each Black Belt session for project reviews. These sessions were a balanced blend of fun and terror for the presenters.

During a lunch break, a group of us were catching some fresh air and looked across the courtyard at a new wing being built, specifically the roof structure. A couple of us saw that some of the workers had no safety harnesses, and those that did, were not attaching them consistently. While pointing it out to the rest of our group, I also noticed that Chris had left the group.

I learned later that day that Chris had bolted to the general manager’s office and alerted him that immediate action was necessary … accented on the immediate. A phone call as made and work halted. Some of the accentuated language is omitted. Then he sat with the general manager and walked through a series of actions that the general manager should follow, including how to negotiate with the contractor, the objections he may hear, and how to counter them.  Chris followed up with phone calls and stopped by during subsequent sessions. He transformed the worksite to a safer one. He changed behaviors and very possibly saved lives.

The location was not a Bechtel construction jobsite. But safety is a value. Chris Haynes never used the term “values” with me, but his values screamed at the world from his deeds.

How then do we evaluate our values?

Do we walk the talk?  …  Or do we stumble the mumble?

Also: The Real Deal