As a startup, achieving a 5-year anniversary is a milestone that few achieve. In the ever-evolving world of technology and real estate, where change is the only constant, Cohesion has not only weathered the storm of a global pandemic but also adapted to shifting trends in the market.
It is said repeatedly that a company’s core values are central to their success and growth as a team. When we celebrated our 5-year anniversary, we wanted to reflect on the values that got us to where we are today, while recognizing that our team has evolved from where we started those years ago.
These values are a testament to our resilience, adaptability, and the unwavering commitment of our team members, who have been pivotal in navigating these global periods of change and uncertainty.
The Significance of Core Values in Times of Change
A company’s core values are the beacon guiding our decisions, actions, and interactions during adversity. They help us navigate challenges with consistency and ensure we stay true to our mission and culture.
Especially at a startup, when things move quickly and decisions must be made on the fly, having a north star to guide us is crucial. In times of uncertainty, our core values act as a compass for decision-making. They provide clarity and help us prioritize tasks and resolve dilemmas with confidence.
The unprecedented nature of the past few years reinforced the importance of a strong, unified culture. Our core values help us attract individuals who share our values and enable them to integrate seamlessly into our organization. When our employees resonate with our core values, they are engaged, excited and motivated to bring our ambitious vision to life.
Reimagining Our Core Values
Our five-year journey eventually brought us to the realization that our core values needed reimagining to successfully traverse a changing landscape, scale innovations and strengthen our reliance on one another. In that time, we cultivated a culture unique to Cohesion and reimagining core values to reflect our language and purpose were key.
Our New Core Values
After extensive conversations, brainstorming, whiteboarding, feedback, and collaboration, we codified our six core values with the goal of transforming the smart building environment to a purposeful place with the smartest technology.
- Own It: We get sh*t done. We know when to ask for help. We figure it out.
- One Team: We are partners. We have each other’s backs. We include all voices.
- Do It With Care: We get to 100%. We focus on quality. We are thoughtful.
- Work Smart: We are curious. We chase the “ah-ha” moment. We solve tomorrow’s challenges.
- Have Integrity: We are honest. We are good humans. We do the right thing.
- Communicate Purposefully: We do it clearly. We believe in context. We don’t waste time.
Our journey of redefining our Core Values reflects our ability to pivot, adapt and emerge stronger from adversity. These values are not just words on a page, but the essence of our identity and the driving force behind our resilience. Through unity and unwavering commitment, we continue to thrive and make a lasting impact
Not limited to the Cohesion team, our core values also extend to our client and partner relationships, reinforcing integrity and a commitment to quality. This has built and maintained trust, leading to enduring partnerships. Resilience and adaptability are embedded in our core values. They drive a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, essential for long-term growth.
On Giving Tuesday, we activated our core values beyond our office walls to give back to our Chicago community. Our Cohesion team and their families – 17 sets of hands, big and small – filled 125 holiday care kits, for donation to The Night Ministry, a Chicago-based organization established in 1977, whose mission is to provide human connection, housing support, and healthcare for members of our community who are unhoused or experiencing poverty. While our core values were designed to create purpose and a transformative experience for our team and industry, they have extended more broadly to impact our community and neighbors.
