At Citadel Earth, we recognize that the ability to embrace change has emerged as a vital competency for achieving success in today’s business landscape. Whether we embark on a new project or acquire a business, it is natural to experience a sense of apprehension or fear in the face of change. However, there are many benefits that we can experience from learning how to remain flexible and adaptable in response to shifting circumstances.

In order to alleviate any concerns associated with this change, our team works hard toward fostering an environment of open communication and collaboration within our business. At Citadel Earth, we ensure that our team members have ample access to the necessary resources, support and training required to navigate change effectively. By cultivating a culture that embraces change and encourages proactive adaptation, you can unlock the limitless potential for transformative achievements in the ever-evolving business world.

What Does “Embrace Change” Mean?

In the workplace, most organizations embrace change management principles, particularly for significant projects such as system implementations, new product launches and acquisitions. Embracing change is a fundamental principle that can be applied to any business, regardless of its size. To embrace change means acknowledging that change is inevitable while also understanding that it’s necessary for growth. This process requires courage, as it involves breaking free from familiar—yet often dysfunctional—routines, allowing you to become a more productive and healthier individual overall.

Adopting the mindset that change can, in fact, be a good thing ultimately enables people to adapt and thrive in dynamic environments and organizations to stay competitive and evolve over time. At Citadel Earth, we prioritize collecting valuable feedback from our peers and promoting ongoing modifications to experience successful change implementation. Embracing change is not just a principle, but a vital mindset. It empowers individuals to adapt, grow and seize opportunities for personal and professional development.

What is the Importance of This Core Value?

When I first became familiar with the structural change management approach, I was skeptical – unsure of how much good it would actually do for our businesses. As I delved deeper into the realm of change management and the importance of embracing change, I gained an appreciation for this systematic approach, both on a corporate and personal level. Oftentimes, organizations will change as their employees change, in turn emphasizing the importance of personal transformation. Although routines can provide a sense of comfort, it is crucial to challenge and change those routines to continuously evolve.

Throughout my career, many organizations I’ve been involved with have done an excellent job combining project management and change management. I have observed exceptional leadership that has successfully embraced the ADKAR Model, a proven methodology that can be used to guide individuals through the experiences—or elements—needed to make a desired change. It addresses the following stages of effective change management:

• A – Awareness of the need to apply effective change management
• D – Desire to participate in and support effective change management application
• K – Knowledge about how to apply change management
• A – Ability to implement new skills and behaviors related to change management
• R – Reinforcement to keep change management in place

As an example of this, one of our previous companies underwent a cafeteria remodel that originally failed because the management team did not adequately prepare for this change. After the remodel, the cafeteria was not functional, and employees were left unprepared for the changes. Management recognized the need for improvement and began applying the ADKAR Model to address this issue. The second time around, management made sure to receive employee buy-in, raise awareness about the upcoming changes and foster a collective desire for the new cafeteria space. This proves that even small-scale, internal changes require serious efforts, an efficient process, clear communication and a desire to change.

How does Citadel Earth Embrace Change?

Due to the nature of our business, the Citadel Earth team has developed a strong ability to adapt to change on, quite literally, a daily basis. We understand that there will inevitably be a certain level of fear and apprehension surrounding change, but it’s crucial for us to quickly establish a shared understanding of our mission and alleviate any concerns from our stakeholders.

When establishing a new partnership, we alleviate any reservations by setting realistic expectations about working with our team. We also create a desire for those to embrace the change by explaining how it benefits them. Finally, we emphasize that change brings new opportunities for growth, such as new systems and products. We strive to reinforce change over time, as well as actively acknowledge and celebrate those who consistently embrace change.

What Advice Would You Give for Creating Core Values? 

Establishing a well-defined set of values provides your employees with a comprehensive understanding of your organization’s principles. Core values should be as unique to your business as your employees and mission, regardless of the business size.

Below is some guidance I would share with any small-business owners or entrepreneurs who are embarking on the endeavor of establishing their own core values:

• Think about what makes your business unique: It’s important to understand that core values vary based on the nature of your organization. Your core values should align with your company’s purpose, mission and the input of your employees.
• Foster a collaborative approach to this process: Conduct exercises and workshops to gather their input and encourage discussions about the desired values. By actively involving employees, you can increase their ownership and commitment to these values.
• Recognize and celebrate success: Publicly recognize and appreciate efforts through internal communications, meetings and/or companywide announcements. This will reinforce the importance of your core values and motivate others throughout your organization to commit to living these values as well.
• Promote awareness: Reinforce core values in day-to-day interactions and decision-making processes. By fostering a shared understanding, you can cultivate a culture that not only understands the values, but truly embraces and embodies them.

At Citadel Earth, our approach is rooted in purposeful, empowered and transparent leadership. In fact, strong leadership is a core tenet behind everything we do as an organization—and it is put into practice each and every day by all members of the Citadel Earth team, regardless of title or tenure.

It is only when “everyone is a leader” that a job can be performed to an optimal level and with the greatest results, which is why this core value resonates so strongly with me. Great leadership means that each member of your team is empowered to take initiative to achieve the best possible result, no matter what the project entails.

What Does “Everyone is a Leader” Mean?

In any small-business environment, it is not uncommon to see a flat organizational structure where each team member is required to wear multiple hats. There is usually a lot going on at any given time that requires a certain level of grit and flexibility—from taking on new and challenging tasks, to accommodating conflicting priorities and fast turnarounds. At Citadel Earth, our team truly functions as a well-oiled machine where everyone is expected to take ownership of various projects and pitch in wherever needed in order to get the job done well.

Because of this dynamic environment, one must be ready for inevitable changes. For example, the deadlines for certain initiatives may need to be moved up based on shifting priorities within the organization. Therefore, you must be able to shift efforts to where they’re most urgently needed and support other team members when they need it. This requires all employees within a business to take initiative—a critical aspect of effective leadership.

There are many ways in which this can be achieved within a business. In some cases, you may find that you are in the right position and equipped with the best skillset to promptly address the issue at hand. At other times, you may need to think through a problem and figure out how to overcome it by seeking out the necessary knowledge and resources. Or, you may even serve as a point person who can pull assets together to help move the project forward.

How We Demonstrate This Core Value

On a fundamental level, taking leadership within your business is about stepping up to solve problems, get the job done, and bring your team and project to the best possible outcome. It requires identifying a space in need of initiative, making proactive recommendations to address those issues, and being a creative problem-solver in everything you do.

As an example of this core value in action at Citadel Earth, in 2021, we closed an investment in one of our growth companies through a series of transactions over several months. We quickly realized the need for a senior accounting professional to help run the business until we could find a replacement—and someone from our team stepped up to take on this role.

She ended up being in this accounting role for longer than intended and faced some big challenges along the way. But she was exactly the right person for the job—and she knew it—so she stepped in to fill the gap. Over her time on this assignment, she made sure everything was done exactly as it needed to be, and when she was finished, she left the organization in a much better place. All of us at Citadel Earth greatly appreciated her doing this.

Why is it Important to Develop Core Values?

Core values have become increasingly instrumental in how I lead as a partner in my own business and in how I evaluate other businesses—especially when those core values are considered fundamental elements of the operation. Shared values can bring together people of different backgrounds to produce a unique culture and great results. Our core value “Everyone is a Leader” is particularly important given that initiative is paramount to the success of any small business.

It’s important that our core values truly reflect who we are as a team and organization. In this way, they highlight the attributes that are essential to the work we do every day at Citadel Earth: investing in our founders, helping them grow and taking their businesses to the next level. With that in mind, we were able to build values that are at the center of what we do and who we are.

What are My Tips for Creating Core Values? 

First and foremost, it’s crucial to “operationalize” your set of core values. When you do this, as Citadel Earth has, those core values become a valuable tool. They can then be used to guide all decision-making, helping to show what’s best for the business and for the people in it.

Core values shouldn’t just be words that are hung up on a wall and forgotten. It’s important to incorporate them into your key messaging to employees, teams, customers and suppliers. Be sure to demonstrate that they’re important to you, and that being in sync with the organization includes embracing and internalizing those core values. Doing so should be part of joining as a new employee or doing business with your organization. When this is accomplished, each of the core values—such as “Everyone is a Leader”—will serve as a powerful tool for your business.