CA Newsletter: Core Principles
New Year’s resolutions for individuals as well as organizations have a greater chance of success if they are based on core values. If losing weight becomes part of your value system you are more likely to achieve that goal than if you passively agree that weight loss is a good idea.In much the same way an organization is more likely to achieve its objectives (i.e. attain its New Year’s Resolutions) if the objectives flow from its core principles. Our core values establish and control our behaviors–how we interact with our client representatives, the public, and one another.
Our motto “Of Service to All, According to Law” and our mission statement that appears in every issue of this newsletter reminds us of three values that form our core principles:
Core principle 1
We adhere to high ethical standards. This includes both knowing the right thing to do and then striving to do it. We may disagree with one another about policies, strategies, or objectives but we can take comfort in knowing that we are working together to do what is right.
Core principle 2
We are public servants. The work we do is more than an 8 to 5 job. We work for the Office of the County Attorney and for the people of Harris County because we have an intrinsic desire to help others and not purely for personal gain.
Core Principle 3
We strive to be the best. Our office is consistently recognized as being one of the best in the state of Texas. We will continue to build on this reputation for excellence, striving to be better today than we were yesterday, and better tomorrow than we were today. We do not expect perfection, but we do expect improvement.
The beginning of a new year is a good time for each of us to examine our core values. Please help your managers answer these important questions: Do our personal values match those of the Office? What core values does our Office exhibit? What behaviors should our Office exhibit as we strive to match principles with our behavior in 2012 and beyond?
–Vince
