Core Values???

Many of us have found ourselves in situations during our careers that are . . . to say the least . . . uncomfortable. If you are like me, you have lost sleep as you toss and turn with that proverbial knot in your stomach. What to do? What to do? Married with kids. Mortgage due. College looming. What to do? What to do?

I start this blog with the feeling that I have experienced more than once during my career. I have had this conversation with my mentors, mentees, employees, and bosses as we have traversed our careers. To the individual, we have regrets about one or more of our decisions. Most of my regrets are failing to have those heart-to-heart conversations with my bosses as certain situations unfolded.

I started with Crisis1 nearly two years ago. It began with a conversation at 7:00 a.m. over breakfast in Reston, VA and was the first time in my career that I was interviewing the company. Granted, I did not have complete control of the situation, but I did have options. John “Pat” Philbin, President of Crisis1, sat across from me. During the conversation, Pat did not once utter that Crisis1 has a set of core values or the profit margins his company currently enjoys. Pat talked about the types of people he is trying to attract, the types of clients he is focusing on, and the type of company he is trying to create. Although I had several other offers walking into that meeting, I made my choice as I walked back to my car.

Fast forward to today, and I have witnessed and experienced the core values of Crisis1 at work:

• Honor. While we have a special bond with those who have served in the Military, Crisis1 honors the commitments everyone has made to make our communities and our Nation a better place to live.

• Respect. Simply stated, everyone deserves respect.

• Integrity. Crisis1 will go to great lengths, if needed, to meet our commitments.

• Accountability. For any organization to function and maintain itself, everyone must be accountable.

In closing, since I have joined Crisis1, I have not had that proverbial knot in my stomach.