Be up for the challenge. Take personal responsibility for making things happen. Respond to every situation by looking for how we can do it rather than explaining why it can’t be done. Recognize that you won’t always have all of the information. Be resourceful and show initiative. Don’t make excuses or wait for others to solve the problem. See issues through to their completion.

Healthy, vigorous, professional debate creates better solutions. Think about issues and opportunities independently and be prepared to share and discuss with others. Once a decision is made, get fully aligned by putting your complete support behind it.

Seek out and take advantage of every opportunity to gain more knowledge, increase your skills, and become more of a subject matter expert. Be resourceful about learning and sharing best practices so we can all grow and learn together. Be curious, ask thoughtful questions, and listen intently to the answers. Dig deeper to go beyond the expected.

Innovation, improvement, and success don’t come from playing it safe. They come from a thoughtful and intentional willingness to try the unconventional and to ask, “What if?” Try a new way. Think differently.

Understand your client’s world—their brand, the clinical data, and the market environment. Know their challenges, frustrations, and limitations. See the world from their perspective. The better you understand them, the more effectively you can anticipate and meet their needs.

Do what you say you’re going to do when you say you’re going to do it. This includes being on time for all phone calls, appointments, meetings, and promises. If a commitment can’t be fulfilled, notify others early and agree on a new deliverable to be honored.

What got us here isn’t what will get us to the next level. Get outside your comfort zone. Don’t hold on to old ways of doing things. Embrace ambiguity. Be excited by the possibilities that change and growth bring.

Be organized and plan your work for maximum efficiency. Communicate with your teammates, align on priorities, and have a game plan for your tasks and your workday.

Be open to learning from others, no matter what role they have and regardless of their age, background, experience, or tenure with our company. We make better decisions when we consider multiple perspectives. Invite new viewpoints and opinions.

Help each other to succeed. It’s about us, not any individual team member. Don’t let your ego or personal agenda get in the way of doing what’s best for the team. Nothing is beneath any of us. Be willing to step into another role or help a co-worker when that’s what’s required for success. When Elevate succeeds, we all succeed.

While it’s important to understand the issue, take responsibility for developing solutions. You get what you look for. Look for solutions. Be optimistic and use your creativity, spirit, and enthusiasm to see the possibilities.

With every experience, do the little things—as well as the big things—that surprise people. Make every interaction stand out for its helpfulness. Create the “WOW” factor that turns clients into raving fans. This includes both internal and external customers.

Create clarity and avoid misunderstandings by discussing expectations upfront. Set expectations for others and ask when you’re unclear on what they expect from you. End all meetings with clarity about action items, responsibilities, and due dates. Be thoughtful about your schedule and have a game plan for your tasks and workday.

Listening is more than simply “not speaking.” Give others your undivided attention. Be present and engaged. Minimize the distractions and let go of the need to agree or disagree. Suspend your judgment and be curious to know more rather than jumping to conclusions. Above all, listen to understand. Focus on body language, lean in.

Speak honestly in a way that helps to make progress. 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.

Regularly extend meaningful acknowledgment and appreciation—in all directions throughout our agency. Make sure to celebrate the little wins AND the big ones. Find joy in the process.

We all are responsible for and benefit from our agency’s image and reputation. Consider how your actions affect our collective reputation and be a proud ambassador for the company.

Respond to questions and concerns quickly, whether in person, on the phone, or by e-mail. This includes simply acknowledging that we got the question and we’re “on it” and keeping those involved continuously updated on the status of outstanding issues.

Think about the entire business, not just your piece of it. Make decisions by asking yourself, “Will this help the agency succeed and grow?”

Demonstrate a passion for excellence and take pride in the quality of everything you touch and everything you do. Have a healthy disdain for mediocrity. Always ask yourself and your team, “Is this my best work?”

Solve problems before they happen by anticipating future issues, planning for contingencies, and addressing them in advance. Work with appropriate lead times. Preventing issues is always better than fixing them.