In this episode of 'Growing Your Business with People,' host Jeff Lackey engages in a thoughtful conversation with Stephanie Carroll, exploring the profound impact of listening to employees and making value-based decisions on company culture and business growth. Carroll shares her wisdom on cultivating an environment that not only resonates with the organization's core values but also demonstrates its commitment to those values through decisive action.

Stephanie elaborates on the lessons she learned when she transitioned from CVS Health to the then-small but rapidly growing AbleTo. She underscores the importance of genuinely listening to employees rather than assuming their needs, highlighting how this approach led to meaningful company-wide initiatives, especially around diversity and trust building. Carroll also discusses how steering decisions through the lens of company values, such as putting 'People First,' can lead to acts of leadership solidarity that resonate profoundly with employees, thereby fostering a productive and engaged workforce.

Key Takeaways:

* Living company values is instrumental to aligning decisions with the organizational culture and can significantly influence employee morale and trust.

* Listening to employees and validating their perspectives is crucial for accurate decision-making and avoiding assumptions that could lead to misalignment.

* Leveraging peer input, surveys, and town hall meetings are effective tactics for gathering employee feedback and ensuring voices across the organization are heard.

* Making value-based compromises, such as leadership team sacrifice for employee bonuses, can reinforce a culture of putting 'People First.'

* Cultivating a culture where decisions reflect values can be a pivot point for business growth and employee engagement.