Flow: The Power of Aligning Actions with Guiding Principles

Each of us can feel when there’s a natural flow in our lives—at work, in our communities, or at home. Things click. Energy is high. People show up for one another. The work is challenging, but it’s also deeply fulfilling.

What makes a sense of flow possible?

Often, it starts with a shared set of values or Guiding Principles—agreed-upon standards that we commit to living out together. These principles may not come naturally to each of us, but when honored, they create the conditions for Peak Performance.

Reflect on those days when “it just worked.” The team moved together seamlessly. Conflicts were handled constructively. Progress felt meaningful. That experience isn’t magic—it’s disciplined alignment. Specifically, it’s the alignment of shared Guiding Principles serving a clear purpose.

So why do leaders sometimes ignore these principles, the very foundation that guides decision-making?

A Lesson from Enron

Enron’s story is a cautionary tale. The company stated these values: Communication. Respect. Integrity. Excellence. They were printed on its letterhead, displayed in the lobby, and featured on the website. On paper, Enron looked like a dream organization.

In reality, those values were not lived. Decisions made at Enron violated every one of them, and the result was one of the most spectacular corporate collapses in history.

Actions aligned with values build trust; words alone won’t do it. That alignment alone creates the trust that makes sustainable success possible.

Guiding Principles in Action

In our work with organizations, we often help teams identify the 4–5 Guiding Principles that define how they perform at their best. These aren’t just content for aspirational posters; they reflect how, most importantly, leaders make decisions.

When those principles are clear and lived:

• Decisions feel consistent – builds trust
• Conflict becomes a path to growth, not division – enables growth opportunities
• Morale and energy improve—even in challenging times – there is energy to persevere

It’s not always easy. When a healthcare organization we collaborated with clarified its Guiding Principles, a key leader decided to leave. He couldn’t thrive under the new standards of responsibility and alignment. The team, however, now unified, transformed in ways they hadn’t imagined.

What This Means for You

Leadership isn’t just about setting direction—it’s about shaping culture. And culture is built on what we consistently reward, reinforce, and model.

If you’re a leader, ask yourself:

• Do we know what principles guide us when at our best?
• Do we consistently use these principles in our decision-making?
• Is the alignment to these principles felt by all our team?
• When values are real, they don’t just inspire—they align, energize, and sustain.

Next week:
Why We Break Down: The Hidden Cost of Violated Principles