The Investors in People Standard
The Standard explores practices and outcomes within an organization under three performance headings: leading, supporting and improving. Under each heading, we have identified three key indicators.
Leading
Creating purpose in a fast changing environment whilst motivating through change have become essential skills for many roles. Outperforming organizations foster leadership skills at every level of the organization to deliver outstanding results.
1. Leading and inspiring people
Leaders make the organization’s objectives clear. They inspire and motivate people to deliver against these objectives and are trusted by people in the organization.
2. Living the organization’s values
People and leaders act in line with the organization’s values at all times. They have the courage and support to challenge inconsistent behaviours.
3. Empowering and involving people
There is a culture of trust and ownership in the organization where people feel empowered to make decisions and act on them.
Supporting
For many, constant change is now normal. Successful organizations are moving towards flatter structures to enable faster decision-making, customer focus and agility. Reduced overheads, better service for customers and more successful organizations are the benefits of this approach.
4. Managing performance
Objectives within the organization are fully aligned, performance is measured and feedback is used.
5. Recognising and rewarding high performance
Recognition and reward is clear and appropriate, creating a culture of appreciation where people are motivated to perform at their best.
6. Structuring work
The organization is structured to deliver the organization’s ambition. Roles are designed to deliver organizational objectives and create interesting work for people, whilst encouraging collaborative ways of working.
Improving
The best organizations are always looking for opportunities to improve by seeking every marginal gain. They know that every small change adds together to enable them to constantly outperform.
7 Building capability
People’s capabilities are actively managed and developed. This allows people to realise their full potential and ensures that the organization has the right people at the right time for the right roles.
8 Delivering continuous improvement
There is a focus on continuous improvement. People use internal and external sources to come up with new ideas and approaches, supported by a culture that encourages innovation.
9 Creating sustainable success
The organization has a focus on the future and is responsive to change. Leaders have a clear understanding of the external environment and the impact this has on the organization.
