Values and Behaviours

For everyone

Providing a great public service in a radically changing world is something that we are passionate about at Cheshire East Council. Our promise of 'working for a brighter future- together' is at the centre of this and can only be delivered upon by us all consistently living our five core values which we believe underpin our success. 

Values and Behaviours

I will for everyone	I won't for everyone
Flexibility for everyone Actively participate in and contribute to change Seek to understand and speak positively about changes Continue to learn and improve for the benefit of myself, my team and my customer Be flexible at work and willing to try new things Listen to others' opinions without judging	Values and behaviours that everyone won't do oFlexibility Say ‘that won’t work, we’ve tried that before’ and then do what I’ve always done Say ‘it’s not my job’ or just moan Give up when things don’t go as I planned
Innovation for everyone Regularly and positively challenge myself and others about the way we do things Ask curious questions Work collaboratively to solve problems Constantly look for new ways of working Take a risk and make a suggestion	Values and behaviours that everyone won't do on Innovation Ignore something or say nothing when something seems wrong Dismiss or be negative or overly critical of new ideas Just deliver something because that is what we have always done
Responsibility for everyone Be honest and realistic about what is achievable and seek to exceed wherever I can Keep my word and do what I say I am going to do Be responsible for my own behaviours and actions Always strive to be the best I can, asking for help if I need it Own up when things go wrong	Values and behaviours that everyone won't do on Responsibility Make promises I can't keep or just not deliver on them Fob people off Blame others - pass the buck
Service for everyone Deliver the very best service I can to my customers, my colleagues and our partners, constantly, responsibly and reliably Actively listen to people and take their opinions into account before I respond appropriately Seek and value feedback and act on it Constantly look for ways to help and support others Put myself in other people's shoes	Values and behaviours that everyone won't do on Service Assume I know what people want and act on my assumptions Ignore the concerns and needs of others Keep information, advice and ideas to myself
Teamwork for everyone Take time for people, be mindful of them and my impact on others Value individuals' strengths and differences and treat others as equals Actively encourage and support people to get involved and collaborate, both in my team and across others Be open, honest, friendly and respect others Thank and praise people for a good job done	Values and behaviours that everyone won't do on Teamwork Ignore or put down any member of my team or others, especially if they are struggling Turn a blind eye to poor behaviours or unacceptable language Take credit for other people's work

For People Managers

For People Managers

I will for People Managers	I won't for People Managers
Values and behaviours that People Managers will do on Flexibility Give people the space and time to grow, develop and seek promotion Keep my people informed and updated, especially in times of change Seek and learn from feedback about my management style	Values and behaviours that People Managers will not do on Flexibility Exclude staff from meetings or decisions that impact on them let the skills and knowledge of myself and my team slip neglect the wellbeing and work life balance of myself or of my team
Values and behaviours that People Managers will do on Innovation Take time to clarify an issue or opportunity and then drive creative changes and solutions Seek and listen to bottom up ideas Check that ideas are realistic and achievable Encourage people to experiment and try new ways of doing things	Values and behaviours that People Managers will not do on Innovation Treat any idea as a silly idea Accept my team "staying the same" because they've always done it that way Hide mistakes under the carpet
Values and behaviours that People Managers will do on Responsibility Make timely decisions and be accountable for them Lead by example and role model positive behaviours Make sure that decisions are made by people closest to the customer or problem Always be timely in giving constructive feedback and coaching	Values and behaviours that People Managers will not do on Responsibility Shirk my responsibilities as a leader, manager or supervisor Allow my staff to side step responsibility Ask people to do things I know they are not capable of
Values and behaviours that People Managers will do on Service Encourage my staff to share their concerns Seek feedback from my people, and customers and act upon it Be clear in my directions, communicate the priorities and explain the reasons why Identify, coach and build on people’s strengths	Values and behaviours that People Managers will not do on Service Ignore the voices of those who are quieter or more challenging Ignore a request for my help Allow unrealistic expectations or priorities to go unchallenged or unmanaged
Values and behaviours that People Managers will do on Teamwork Make time for my team and individuals Ensure that all my team are heard and respected Treat my team and individuals fairly Be my team’s champion Act in the best interests of the whole council - adopting a “one team” approach	Values and behaviours that People Managers will not do on Teamwork Allow bullying or negative behaviour in my team Micro manage people Just work independently as the manager of the team rather than as part of the team

For Members

For Members

I will for Members	I won't for Members
Flexibility: adaptable, open to learning and resilient actively participate in and contribute to change listen and engage with others’ opinions be open to new opportunities and personal development	Flexibility have a closed mind ignore my own emotions and well-being give up when things don’t go as planned
Innovation: creative, challenges convention and always looks to improve regularly and positively challenge myself and others about the way we do things ask searching questions in a polite and respectful manner work collaboratively to solve problems encourage new conversations about what might be possible	Innovation ignore wrongdoing dismiss or be negative of new ideas
Responsibility: delivers on promises, efficient and has integrity be responsible for my own behaviours and actions keep my word and do what I say I am going to do always strive to be the best I can, asking for help if I need it	Responsibility make promises I can't keep blame others or pass the buck expect officers to reply to emails outside of working hours
Service: listens, quality and reliability enables others treat others as I would expect to be treated actively listen to people and respond appropriately seek and value feedback and act on it positively deliver the very best service I can to my constituents, my colleagues and our officers be publicly positive about services that are delivering high quality service	Service assume I know what people want and act on my assumptions ignore the concerns and needs of others keep information and ideas to myself be critical of officers in the press or social media forget that officers have no right of reply
Teamwork: respect and inclusivity, contributes to team, leadership at all levels take time for people, be mindful of my impact on others value individuals' strengths and differences and treat others as equals actively encourage and support people to get involved and collaborate, both in my party and across all boundaries be open, honest, courteous and respect others thank and praise people for a job well done	Teamwork ignore or be personal about others when putting forward an opinion turn a blind eye to poor behaviours or unacceptable language micro manage officers try to ambush officers with unexpected questions in meetings

Page last reviewed: 23 September 2021