Culture Codes: An articulation of the Janaagraha Way
Our mission is our purpose; our strategy, the path to reach it, and our culture are the values and behaviours that define and guide our actions, every hour of every day.
As our work expands and our team grows in number and physical distance, the need to articulate and codify our culture — or the Janaagraha Way — becomes increasingly important.
To do this, we undertook a thorough study of our literature, philosophy, work, policies, performance competency frameworks, and other value articulations. We also conducted surveys with internal and external stakeholders, actively worked with team members, and collaborated with external facilitators.
The result is seven Culture Codes that are an authentic representation of the lived values of Janaagraha:
- I Take Ownership
- I Apply Systems Thinking
- I Practice Urgent Patience
- I Choose Depth
- I Engage Constructively
- I Strive to Excel
- I Care
Each code has been further extended into a set of behaviours to embody and behaviours to avoid. This is our guide on how to get better at living and practising the Janaagraha values.
A list of existing and proposed policies, formal and informal practices, and visual symbols and artefacts have also been drawn up for each code. This repeated articulation of the codes in different forms — from behaviours to policies and projects to processes — is an attempt to embed these principles and values in every function, aspect, and operation of Janaagraha.
I Take Ownership
What I Do
- I believe strongly in Janaagraha’s mission
- I take responsibility for my decisions and actions
- I take initiative and actively pursue opportunities
What I Don’t Do
- I do not hesitate to speak up or take initiative
- I do not renege on my commitments
I Practice Systems Thinking
What I Do
- I align all my work to the City-Systems framework
- I go beyond symptoms and pursue root-causes and connections
What I Don’t Do
- I do not deviate from our mission and theory of change
I Practice Urgent
Patience
What I Do
- I show urgency in my efforts and am patient with results
- I recognize that our successes are only milestones in a longer journey
- I proactively seek clarity from ambiguity
- I am agile in responding to opportunities and challenges
What I Don’t Do
- I do not give up despite set backs and delays
- I do not only strive for short-term results
I Choose Depth
What I Do
- I continuously listen, reflect, and learn
- I am meticulous and detail-oriented
- I think and work with facts and evidence
What I Don’t Do
- I am not superficial in my efforts
- I do not take shortcuts
I Engage Constructively
What I Do
- I collaborate actively and value teamwork
- I give and receive constructive feedback
- I proactively address conflict
- I am responsive and timely in my communications
What I Don’t Do
- I am neither confrontational nor submissive
I Strive To Excel
What I Do
- I set ambitious goals, and work hard to achieve them
- I plan and execute without standing quality and within timelines
- I explore new and innovative solutions
- I strive to gain expertise
What I Don’t Do
- I am not complacent
- I do not tolerate mediocrity
I Care
What I Do
- I practise high levels of integrity
- I am empathetic, and care for the well-being of all people and communities I work with
- I care for the environment
What I Don’t Do
- I do not tolerate discrimination
- I do not communicate disrespectfully