The Values Statement

He helped write it. Literally sat in the room and chose the words.

“Integrity.” “Transparency.” “Assume good intent.”

A couple years later, they used “assume good intent” against him. He raised a concern. They told him to assume good intent. He assumed good intent. They built a file.

The values statement is a mirror the company holds up to employees, not to itself. “Assume good intent” means: don’t question us. “Transparency” means: we’ll tell you what we’ve decided after we’ve decided it. “Integrity” means: yours, not ours.

He helped write the words they used to dismiss his concerns. He literally crafted the tool they used against him.