A Path to Meaningful Change

How often do we really pause to reflect on the values that guide our organisations?

I ask myself this often. You probably do too.

In culture, leisure and hospitality, everything rests on people. Values aren’t window dressing. They are the bedrock of consistent, human service.

When I stop and look properly, I see how a clear value set shapes:

• the tone of a welcome

• the quality of a conversation

• the integrity of a decision

It’s not just about culture inside the building.It’s about the experience people walk away with.

And when we pair a values review with something structured – like Theory of U – we open up new ways of listening, learning and leading.

That’s where the real opportunity sits. What would change for your team if you created that space?

Shared Values

In industries that rely heavily on relationships:

Every interaction tells you what an organisation truly believes.
Staff feel it. Visitors notice it. Communities respond to it.

I see it daily:

• Cultural organisations choose values like inclusion or curiosity, and the exhibitions land better with broader audiences.

• Leisure teams focus on wellbeing, and people keep coming back because the space supports them.

• Hospitality venues live by service and attention to detail, and loyalty grows meal by meal.

But this only works when the stated values match the lived ones. When they don’t, the gap is obvious.

A values assessment closes that gap. It gives you a true picture of where you stand and what needs to shift.

Value Integration

How Theory of U Can Transform Values-Based Work

I’ve been using Theory of U more and more.
It’s practical. It slows the pace just enough for reflection without losing momentum.

The steps help you understand where you are in the cycle of change:

• Co-Initiating – talking openly about what feels off

• Co-Sensing – listening without judgement

• Presencing – pausing long enough to reconnect with purpose

• Co-Creating – shaping actions together

• Co-Evolving – learning and adjusting as you go

In leisure or hospitality, where trust and welcome matter, this gives teams a way to embed authenticity into everyday service.
When was the last time you paused long enough to sense what’s really going on?

I’m using this as a framework to locate where we are in the change cycle..

Its a U bend

Lessons from the Cultural Sector

• Culture has taught me so much about values in action.

  I’ve watched museums lean into:

  • social impact

  • community voice

  • wellbeing

  • education

  When they do it well, people feel seen. They feel part of something bigger.

  Projects like Museums Change Lives remind us how simple shifts in intent can change how people relate to a place.
  Values become visible. And the impact stays long after a visit.

Insights from Leisure and Hospitality

Leisure operators who embed health and wellbeing don’t just talk about it – they build programmes that meet people where they are.

I’ve seen teams:

• widen access

• reduce barriers

• support overlooked communities

• prioritise sustainability

The social value created is real and measurable. Hospitality shows the same truth.
When a venue stands by its values – inclusivity, care, sustainability, community – the atmosphere changes.
People return because they feel something honest. And that is the foundation of real success.

Don’t do things that are hollow , make sure they are meaningful - you have to commit - Jamiejohn

The foundation of your success !

Value assessments aren’t a tick-box exercise for me.
They’re a way to reconnect an organisation to its purpose.

When we blend this with Theory of U, we create:

• clarity

• accountability

• consistency

• better experiences for visitors

• stronger teams

“In the coming months , lets look at what a comprehensive value assessment entails , the creation of a value based strategy and ultimately how do we embed them successfully and sustainably.”

How does your organisation ensure its values align with those it serves? Could exploring methodologies like Theory of U help uncover new opportunities for growth?

Here's to a Bright Future, Rooted in Our Rich Past 🧔🏻

#OrganisationalValues #CultureChange #HospitalityLeadership