Core Values

We have defined five core values:

Integrity

This is our central, defining core value from which all our other values are derived.  We adhere to high ethical standards and:

• Report information promptly and completely
• Do what we say we are going to do by when we say we are going to do it
• Encourage disclosing news that is not positive
• Welcome disagreement

Partnership

This value is central to our respect and treatment of others.  Among ourselves we recognize the highest level of mutual dependency and expect the strongest manifestation of our core values. We expect people to:

• Share risk
• Pull their own weight and help carry others in times of need
• Add value to the whole
• Actively support our core values
  

We expect to partner with our clients, and regardless of the duration of our relationship:

• Share risk
• Work to add value for all parties 
• Support our core values

Servant Leadership

We value humble, trusting leadership and believe it fosters dedication to our mission throughout the organization.
 
The healthiest organization is one whose members possess strong voluntary support for its values and objectives, where people sign themselves up for the mission.  This level of dedication can only be created and sustained by leading in a way that makes human sense:

• Lead as you wish to be led
• Provide patience, attention, encouragement, respect, fair standards, compelling goals and honest feedback, whether you are the leader or the led
• Maintain stewardship to investors; this does not conflict with being a servant leader
• Recognize and accept that your co-workers have deep and complex relationships with their vocation, family and beliefs, and take these into account when you lead or are led

If, as servant leaders, we each become deeply engaged in our daily experience, and accept, without prejudice, the people involved and seek to understand and serve them, the effect is a reciprocal return of trust, acceptance and support.

Excellence

A constant pursuit for our company as a whole and our people as individuals.

• Constantly improve to meet and exceed the highest expectations of our clients, owners and people
• Teach and encourage our people to improve performance and reduce the costs of what they do for clients
• Identify, attract and retain the finest talent possible to serve our clients and our people
• Associated rewards are based on results, and promotions on ability
• Never allow the good to succeed as the enemy of the great

Profit

The reflection of the marketplace’s collective judgment about our value proposition.

• The opportunity to earn a profit is how the competitive free enterprise system motivates investment to enhance human health and happiness
• Expanding profits reflect our clients’ increasingly positive views of our company's ability to create value
• We are in business to create value