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In this episode of the Leadership Excellence Podcast, hosts Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis dive deep into the concept of True North values. True North values serve as a moral and operational compass, helping leaders and teams make decisions that align with the organization’s mission and vision.

Key Takeaways from the Episode:

1. What Are True North Values?
   • True North values are the fixed points that keep a company focused on what truly matters.
   • They represent the company’s purpose, direction, and integrity, helping teams stay aligned and energized.
   • George and Tom emphasize the importance of defining these values clearly to ensure they guide daily decisions and behaviors.
2. The Mission, Vision, and Values Trifecta
   • Mission: Why the organization exists (e.g., Toyota’s mission is “producing happiness for all”).
   • Vision: What the organization aims to achieve (e.g., Toyota’s vision is “creating mobility for all”).
   • Values: The principles that guide decision-making (e.g., Toyota’s pillars: respect for people and continuous improvement).
   • George highlights the critical role of action-oriented verbs like “producing” and “creating” to set the right mindset for teams.
3. Toyota’s Approach to Values
   • Toyota’s two foundational pillars:
     • Respect for People: Includes teamwork and respect for individuals, encouraging personal growth and collaboration.
     • Continuous Improvement: Involves principles like Genchi Genbutsu (go and see), Kaizen (improvement), and challenge.
   • George shares insights from his trip to Japan, where Toyota’s values were broken down into actionable components that leaders could easily apply.
4. Practical Applications of True North Values
   • Keep values simple and memorable—typically no more than 5-7 core values.
   • Align meetings, behaviors, and goals with these values to ensure they are lived daily.
   • George shares his example of introducing “respect for time” as a core value in a manufacturing company, which transformed how meetings were conducted and decisions were made.
5. From True North to Magnetic North
   • George proposes reframing “True North” as “Magnetic North”—a concept that reflects the natural pull leaders create to inspire and align their teams.
   • Magnetic North values act as a force that draws the organization in the right direction, creating consistency and momentum.
6. Implementing True North Values
   • Start by defining

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