Last month’s message discussed the growth of the management consulting industry, the transition in IMC USA from paid professional staff to volunteers, and the mission and vision of the organization. The message’s underlying theme and one of the challenges facing IMC USA is change.

The volunteer support of members who already stepped forward on various initiatives is appreciated!

My October/November message focuses on shared values, purpose and how these concepts relate and can drive progress and growth for IMC USA.

The purpose of an organization is its reason for being, that is, the mission and values in pursuit of the vision. Our mission is the application of collective thinking and doing. Being aware of and committing to values is fundamental to IMC USA’s continued success.

The purpose of IMC USA, stated simply, is to certify management consultants, provide professional development opportunities, enforce ethical standards, and provide a network which supports and enables growth for our members and our organization. IMC USA’s values include ethics, education, professional resources and community. These values advise the value proposition.

Interactions within the internal and external environment over the long-term inform values. When shared values are considered, beliefs and principles guide the mission, decisions and actions. Values or beliefs are the collective expression of members.

The growth process for IMC USA commences with getting people aligned with our shared values, and, beyond that, excited about the direction in which the organization is headed.

Shared values combined with a clear purpose unite the members of an organization, stimulate collaboration and yield desired results and outcomes. These shared values and other similar ideas define the purpose, identity, and aspirations of the organization.

We look forward to working together, guided by our shared values, to continue to fulfill our purpose.

The author, Charles R. Everett, Jr., CMC®, is a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) who serves government, private, and non-profit organizations in the areas of leadership and strategy. He has worked as general manager of various airports in New York and Pennsylvania and with the Federal Aviation Administration at its Headquarters in Washington, D.C., dealing with matters involving airport management, operations, and development. Mr. Everett is a retired officer of the U.S. Air Force Reserve with a military specialty in logistics. He received a bachelor’s degree in urban studies, with a major concentration in Transportation Planning from the College of Arts & Sciences of the University of Pennsylvania. He also has a Master of Business Administration degree, with a specialization in International Business, from the University of Cumbria.