Most of us have values we try to operate by—and if we’re lucky, we get to work in businesses where those values aren’t just posters on a wall. At Beyond, I had the privilege of defining our core values, which act as a compass for how we treat each other and our clients:
- People First – We listen with empathy and aim to be generous with our knowledge and time.
- FedEx It – We aim for same-day responses in all our interactions, internally and externally.
- Grow or Die – Continuous learning is essential; relevance is earned, not assumed.
But maxims? They’re a little different.
Where values define the horizon, maxims are trail markers. Smaller. More frequent. Practical. We’ve got about 20 of them. They’re not aspirational slogans—i.e. those terrible 80s inspirational posters on the wall – nope, they’re behavioural nudges.
Tools for fast-growing teams to stay human while moving fast.
Here are a few of ours:
- Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—you’re right.
- Equitable Outcomes.
- You make your own sunshine.
Examples of our Maxims are listed here: Beyond M&A Culture Deck & Maxims.
Today, I met a brilliant Irish team who’ve built something unique in their space. They shared two of their maxims that I absolutely loved:
- There are no stupid questions.
- No bad news after 4pm.
That second one is a stroke of genius. Simple, clear, and immediately usable. It recognises the emotional reality of teams—how we receive and process news. It’s not about hiding the truth, it’s about when you deliver it. Thoughtful. Human.
In the business world, there are some great maxim examples:
- “Disagree and commit.”
- Company: Amazon
- Reference: This principle, popularized by Jeff Bezos, encourages team members to express their disagreements during decision-making but to fully commit to the final decision once it’s made, fostering swift and unified action. The AustralianBusiness Insider
- “Work should be challenging and the challenge should be fun.”
- Company: Google
- Reference: This philosophy emphasises creating an engaging and enjoyable work environment, reflecting Google’s commitment to a positive and stimulating workplace culture. Wikipedia
- “Play, be there, make their day, choose your attitude.”
- Company: Pike Place Fish Market
- Reference: Known as the Fish! Philosophy, these four principles guide employees to create a positive workplace by embracing playfulness, being present, delighting customers, and maintaining a positive attitude. The Australian+4Wikipedia+4Fearless Culture+4
What I love about maxims is that they aren’t ‘rules.’ They’re more like shorthand culture. They help us hold each other to account without policing. They add a layer of humanity that corporate ‘values’ sometimes lack.
And yes, this was a bit of fun for a Friday—but it reminded me that culture isn’t the domain of HR. It’s the art of the everyday.
