Seven Principles

Creating a virtuous spiral is something most organizations can do. Through my research and study of many leading organizations, I have identified seven principles that are key to organizations’ developing virtuous spirals. These seven principles guide a wide assortment of specific practices that I have seen implemented in exemplary organizations with positive results (p. 19).

1.  Attraction and Retention
   Organizations must create a value proposition that defines the type of workplace they want to be so that they can attract and retain the right people.
2. Hiring Practices
   Organizations must hire people who fit with their values, core competencies, and strategic goals.
3. Training and Development
   Organizations must continuously train employees to do their jobs and offer them opportunities to grow and develop.
4. Work Design
   Organizations must design work so that it is meaningful for people and provides them with feedback, responsibility, and autonomy.
5. Mission, Strategies, and Goals
   Organizations must develop and adhere to a specific organizational mission, with strategies, goals, and values that employees can under­stand, support, and believe in.
6. Reward Systems
   Organizations must devise and implement reward systems that reinforce their design, core values, and strategy.
7. Leadership
   Organizations must hire and develop leaders who can create commitment, trust, success, and a motivating work environment. (p. 228).