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Fundamentals

While our “strategies” are strong, our actions are what lead to “winning” outcomes. Here are the 30 key “Fundamentals” that everyone at WSW strives to live by every day:

Demonstrate an unwavering commitment to doing the right thing in everything you say and do. Be honest at all times, no matter the consequences.

Be scrappy, nimble, and outthink the competition. There are no armchair warriors at WSW; we are a team of doers.
Respond to questions and concerns quickly, whether it’s in person, on the phone, or by e-mail. This includes simply acknowledging that we got the question and we’re “on it,” as well as keeping those involved continuously updated on the status of outstanding issues. Respect each other’s time and don’t make others chase you for a response.
Approach every situation by looking for ways we can rather than explaining why we can’t. Be resourceful and show initiative. Don’t make excuses or wait for others to solve problems. Take personal responsibility for making things happen and ensure that you follow up on everything.
Be a stickler about accuracy and precision. Double-check your work. Get the details right the first time. Solve problems before they happen by anticipating future issues, planning for contingencies, and addressing them in advance.
Be passionate and engaged. Approach every task with energy, focus, purpose, and enthusiasm. Work with a sense of urgency to get things done and done well. Aim for excellence and take pride in the quality of everything you touch and everything you do. Always ask yourself, “Is this my best work?” and “Will it help my client as they seek to achieve their goals?”
Demonstrate a passion for both the financial and social aspects of our business. Work on behalf of causes, not just clients. Look for ways to improve the lives of others while working to achieve our clients’ goals.
Make decisions by asking yourself, “How does this help the firm? What unmet needs do our clients have, and how can we meet those needs? Where does the firm face risks and how can we address them? What else can I do to help the firm succeed?”
Always remember we are in the business of customer service. At WSW, it’s all about our clients, not us. Collaborate with the client to develop and execute a strategy that delivers the best solutions for their needs, even if those solutions are different from what the client initially envisioned.
Do not let passion, stress, or a sense of urgency lead to rash or poor decisions. Stay calm under pressure and pause to think before acting.
Regularly extend meaningful acknowledgment and appreciation — in all directions throughout the firm.
Look for opportunities to grow existing clients, find new clients, bring back former clients, and develop new services to drive growth for the firm. Take personal responsibility for growing and expanding our client base.
Build trust and foster positive relationships with clients and colleagues by learning about their needs and interests and understanding their goals. Offer honest feedback and candid counsel. Understand what makes others tick and what’s important to them. Build strong relationships that will enable us to work through difficult issues and challenging times.
Do what you say you’re going to do when you say you’re going to do it. be on time for all calls, appointments and other commitments. If an obligation can’t be fulfilled, notify the impacted parties early and offer a “Plan B.”
We work hard and often expect and give a lot. Know and communicate boundaries and when you need to take a break to refresh and recharge. To give your best, you must be at your best. Be a good steward of our most valuable resource: you!
Create and use systems and processes that are scalable and that support our ability to perform with consistency and accuracy. Be organized and plan your work for maximum efficiency. Create a plan, communicate the plan, and stick to the plan. Share best practices across WSW.
Know your audience and write and speak in a way that they will easily understand. Avoid using internal lingo, acronyms, and industry jargon with people who are unfamiliar with those terms. Be concise. Focus on communicating the message clearly.
Regularly evaluate the way you/we work to find ways to improve. Take intelligent risks. Embrace new ways our team can get things done better, more efficiently, and more creatively. Be willing to try the unconventional and to ask, “What if?” Try a new way.
If you see something that needs to be done, do it. Be willing to get the coffee, take out the trash, clean up the conference room, or any other task that needs to be done. Nothing is beneath any of us.
Discuss and establish expectations upfront with clients, with coworkers, and with yourself. Clearly explain your expectations and make sure you understand others’ expectations of you. Identify, communicate, and account for limitations. End all meetings with agreed-upon action items, responsibilities, and deadlines.
We’re passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity, and encourages, supports, and celebrates our team. Learn from others on our team. Consider multiple perspectives. Seek input from teammates of all ages, backgrounds, experience levels, and tenures with our firm.
If you make a mistake, own up to it, apologize, and make it right. Get smarter with every mistake. Demonstrate a relentless focus on solutions rather than blame. Identify lessons learned and use those lessons to improve ourselves and our processes so we don’t make the same mistake twice.
Practice humility. Don’t let your personal agenda get in the way of doing what’s best for the team or the client. Step into another role, cover for a coworker, and do whatever is required for each member of the team to succeed. Ask for and accept help when you need it. Make others look good and don’t worry about getting credit.
Listen to understand. Give others your undivided attention. Minimize distractions and be present and engaged. Let go of the need to agree or disagree; suspend your judgment and be curious to know more before jumping to conclusions.
Speak honestly and constructively. Say what you mean, and be willing to ask questions, share ideas, or raise issues that may cause conflict when it’s necessary for team success. Be courageous enough to say what needs to be said. Address issues directly with those who are involved or affected.
Deliberately set an example for others to follow. Take responsibility, both formally and informally, to coach, guide, teach, and mentor others.
Show genuine care for and about each other. Offer a kind word, celebrate each other’s successes, support each other through hard times, and always lift each other up.
Continually look for ways to grow professionally. Set goals and develop new skills, improve your work habits, and stretch yourself. Learn about new issues and become an expert in different areas.
In the search for the best solutions, challenge and question what you don’t understand. Don’t accept anything at “face value” if it doesn’t make sense to you. Be curious, ask thoughtful questions, and listen intently to the answers. Seek out more information and learn from conversation, not just online research.
Take your work seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously. Keep things in perspective. Don’t take things personally. Find the joy in what we do. Laugh every day.

Let’s see how we can put these actions toward helping ‘make the good happen’ for you.

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