A principle is a fundamental, actionable belief or guiding rule that shapes decision-making and team behaviour in an organisation.
A principle is a fundamental, actionable belief or guiding rule that shapes decision-making and behaviour within an organisation. It serves as a framework for action, ensuring that teams know how to approach their work in alignment with the organisation’s broader goals and values.
Principles provide clarity in dynamic environments. They are not abstract ideals but actionable guides that teams rely on to navigate complexity and uncertainty. For example, the principle of Empiricism encourages teams to make decisions based on evidence and experience, helping to ensure that choices are grounded in real-world data rather than assumptions. Similarly, the principle of Self-Management enables teams to organise themselves, take ownership of their work, and make decisions autonomously, which fosters empowerment and accountability.
Unlike values, which express what an organisation stands for, principles are actionable and directly influence behaviour. For example, the Continuous Improvement principle emphasises the need for teams to reflect on their processes and outcomes, striving to enhance their performance over time. This action-oriented focus ensures that principles don’t just shape what teams care about but also how they execute.
Principles also differ from tenets in that they are not specific doctrines or philosophies; they are guidelines that teams can actively apply to improve their processes. For instance, the principle of Adaptability encourages teams to respond to changing environments, ensuring they remain flexible and resilient.
The long-term value of principles lies in their systemic nature. They provide a stable foundation for decision-making across all levels of the organisation. Whether it’s delivering value to customers, fostering a culture of learning and collaboration, or driving innovation, principles provide a consistent and coherent framework for achieving goals.
In summary, principles are the guiding beliefs that inform decision-making and influence how teams approach their work. They ensure alignment, drive continuous improvement, and enable teams to navigate challenges with confidence. By embedding these principles in the organisation’s culture, teams can adapt to change while staying focused on delivering sustainable value.
We partner with businesses across diverse industries, including finance, insurance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, engineering, transportation, hospitality, entertainment, legal, government, and military sectors.
Workday
Illumina
Lean SA
Healthgrades
Slaughter and May
Flowmaster (a Mentor Graphics Company)
Higher Education Statistics Agency
New Signature
Milliman
Genus Breeding Ltd
ALS Life Sciences
Sage
NIT A/S
SuperControl
Kongsberg Maritime
MacDonald Humfrey (Automation) Ltd.
Freadom
DFDS
Washington Department of Enterprise Services
Washington Department of Transport
Ghana Police Service
Royal Air Force
New Hampshire Supreme Court
Nottingham County Council
Flowmaster (a Mentor Graphics Company)
Lockheed Martin
CR2
Alignment Healthcare
Philips
Teleplan