Everyday behaviours
The heart-beat of our living culture
We might not notice them. We might take them for granted. But put our everyday behaviours together and they become the heart-beat of our living IKEA culture. It can be about how we:
- say “Hej” to each other,
- know each other by first name,
- ask how anyone is doing,
- give feedback,
- support and challenge,
- give a pat on the back for a well-done job,
- walk the floor or office and meet people,
- approach challenges,
- say we’re sorry, and learn from our mistakes,
- make daily decisions
- and communicate
It’s about how we translate our values into everyday behaviours.
Put our everyday behaviours together and they become the heart-beat of our living IKEA culture
IKEA key behaviours
There are a thousand ways of living our values in practiceTo simplify and clarify, following list/matrix is one way of bringing out 22 key behaviours. Behaviours we would like to see more of in ourselves and in people applying to IKEA.
These behaviours unfolds when pairing the IKEA key values with the IKEA culture commitment values areas
That is, each key value carries three perspectives (work together, find better ways and get things done).
Only when living all perspectives are we also living each key value fully, which in total nurtures a healthier IKEA culture and business.
-
Work together
Able to create strong relationships with others.
Find better ways
Looks beyond his/her own team or unit, always doing what is best for our customers and IKEA as a whole.
Get things done
Willing to “kraftsamla” – creating a joint focus together and pull his/her weight when the need arises.Copy link Copied Link Successfully copied link
-
Work together
Shows a high level of engagement to create a better everyday life together with more of the many people.
Find better ways
Are continuously looking for ways to get more from less, save energy, water, preserve food and prevent waste, both in the big and small.
Get things done
Shows a high level of “bli vé” (not giving up) regarding sustainability.Copy link Copied Link Successfully copied link
-
Work together
Conscious of the total value chain and engaged to work across borders to find the most efficient and effective ways forward.
Find better ways
Are always looking for more cost-efficient ways, which could mean daring to make bold investments.
Get things done
Always striving to be efficient and effective, being conscious of that time is money.Copy link Copied Link Successfully copied link
-
Work together
Is down-to-earth and anti-status, siding with the many people.
Find better ways
Is always striving to be clear and simple.
Get things done
Dare to trust the common sense, intuition and sound judgment of oneself and others to get things done fast.Copy link Copied Link Successfully copied link
-
Work together
Able to nurture and support an environment that brings out the entrepreneurs in us.
Find better ways
Shows curiosity and enthusiasm for being on the way, enjoying the journey of constant improvements.
Get things done
Dare to act immediately and take initiative on problems he/she see and hear.Copy link Copied Link Successfully copied link
-
Work together
Able to nurture and support an environment that brings out the innovators in us, in big and small.
Find better ways
Shows a happy rebel spirit by daring to innovate, experiment and challenge ingrained ways – starting with a curious: “What if?”
Get things done
Dare to do things differently, but always for good reasons of which creates value for our customers.Copy link Copied Link Successfully copied link
-
Work together
Able to nurture and support an environment that brings out the innovators in us, in big and small.
Find better ways
Shows a happy rebel spirit by daring to innovate, experiment and challenge ingrained ways – starting with a curious: “What if?”
Get things done
Dare to do things differently, but always for good reasons of which creates value for our customers.Copy link Copied Link Successfully copied link
-
Always act as a good example of the IKEA key values in the everyday, and thereby brings out the best in others.
Copy link Copied Link Successfully copied link
Sometimes our values and behaviours compete
Sometimes our values and behaviours compete, which places us in trilemmas – a competition of often three equally good alternatives. This can create tensions, or even conflicts, and can be confusing, frustrating and leak energy.
For example:
- Should we include all people, or should we act immediately?
- Should we take time to experiment, or focus and stay efficient?
- Should we challenge ingrained ways, or comply with the current system?
We strive for balance
The optimal condition is balance. It’s about a good harmony between the three values areas and equally important IKEA key values, decisions and actions. Balance nurtures a healthy IKEA culture and business. However, sometimes it’s not possible, and we need prioritize one value, decision or action above the others.
And that’s ok.
When navigating and prioritising
When we prioritise, we need to think about:
- Dialogue – listen and talk to each other.
- Perspectives – consider and respect all options.
This way we can go from confusion, frustration and leakage of energy to:
- A living IKEA culture = pragmatic, dynamic and evolving
- A healthy IKEA culture = respectful, sustainable, consistent and trustworthy
This helps us nurture a living and healthy IKEA culture
