Value Alignment

Value Alignment

Analyzing team values in comparison with another organization's values can assist in understanding alignment between values. In evaluating such an alignment, Team D chooses to analyze Starbucks' values. Team D will first evaluate personal values specific to the team. Furthermore, a review of how the team's values drive actions and behaviors will illustrate the alignment between such. Thereafter, Team D will analyze the alignment between values and actions. Finally, as the team analyzes the differences between the values of the team and Starbucks', the team hopes to understand more about the alignment of values, and more about the team's values in general.

Personal and Workplace Values

During childhood, values originate from interaction and observations of parents, family, teachers, and friends. Guiding decisions and beliefs, values play an integral role in actions and behaviors of individuals and society. As individuals grow, values are assimilated and influence decisions on personal choices: friends, lifestyles, and employment. Honesty, integrity, doing what is right, respect, and family are examples of values but vary from one individual to another. As individuals enter the workforce, they bring their values with them into the organization.

Organizations and companies also adopt and possess values. In 1987, Howard Schultz, Starbucks' chairperson, president, and chief executive officer, instilled a core set of values into the company; a desire to be more than just another coffee store, he wanted to establish a feeling of connection (Starbucks, 2010). Starbucks has published many of its values within the six elements of the organization's mission statement. Within the statement the values of respect, honesty, accountability, community, and diversity are published with the guiding purpose to support Schultz's aspiration to establish a connection with customers, employees, stakeholders, and communities the company serves (Starbucks, 2010).

Team Values and Behavior

When working with a team one deals with many personalities; differences of opinions are bound to happen. The ability to work with each team member comes out of respect, something Team D values greatly. Working from behind a computer screen makes it easy to say anything, but because one should respect another and his or her feelings, each team member makes a conscious effort to think before he or she speaks.

Within a team environment, if one person decides not to do his or her homework, it affects not only his or her grade, but also the grade for the entire group. Team D places a high importance on each member being responsible for his or her actions, and therefore, holds him or her accountable. Each member has a life outside of class but the team always makes it a point to keep in contact and put in the best effort when completing assignments because each member is responsible for the success of the entire group.

Integrity is also an important value to possess, particularly in the online learning environment. Dishonest and lazy students can easily copy and paste someone else's work and call it their own. Team D, on the other hand, genuinely wants to succeed knowing the team did so honestly. Therefore, the team spends the time reading the text and formulating unique ideas.

Alignment of Values and Actions

For a business strategy to be effective, the organization's stated values and the actions taken in the implementation of the plan must be in alignment. Among the standard values stated by organizations such as responsibility to shareholders, customers, and employees as well as