Dirty Hands reposted this
Our secret to managing a large remote workforce lies in ensuring that each person who joins Dirty Hands deeply understands our values and the responsibility we all have to our community. This is where our Guiding Principles come into play. Five years ago, our friend and advisor, Deacon Patrick Toole, encouraged us to codify the “secret sauce” that defines our values, actions, and the characteristics foundational to our business. We did just that and called them our Guiding Principles. They are: We are a family and family comes first. Lead humbly. Be of service. Wield the power of positivity. Make each other proud. Earn it. Love what you do. And never fear a little dirt. To bring these words to life, every new hire spends 90 minutes with members of the family to say hello, learn our company’s history, and dive into our Guiding Principles. This is my favorite part. New members hear directly from us what truly matters. We share that family isn’t just about who you’re related to, but who you support during tough times and who will support you when you hit a rough patch. “Make each other proud” is a bond we share. This can be a lonely job and it’s everyone’s responsibility to act with integrity, whether someone is watching or not—a crucial mindset for remote work. “Love what you do” is both a promise and a reality check. If, one day, you find you no longer love what you do, let’s talk about it. We’ll work with you to find a new path rather than allowing you to suffer through days of dissatisfaction. No one wins in that scenario, and it’s important to be honest and upfront from the start. This focus on aligning expectations and values is why the average tenure of a Dirty Hands team member is over two years. In a relationship-driven business, tenure matters. The longer we work together, the more skilled and effective we become. Remote work is challenging. Without investing the time and energy to breathe life into the organization’s spirit, its heart and soul will fade. No buzzwords on a wall or pages in a handbook can compete with time spent sharing our passion and dedication to a united team. Making these principles part of every member's journey at DH leads to buy-in and ultimately positive results for our brands and partners. Make the time. Bring your values to life. It’s the only way to build community and inspire action.