We Just Ditched Our Core Values
But we are aligning on something better - and your gym can too
Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes
TLDR: We replaced our core values with actionable operating tenets because execution beats intention every time. These principles now drive our hiring, decisions, and performance standards. For gym owners facing similar growth challenges, this shift could be the difference between sc or hitting a ceiling.
The Problem With Core Values
Let's be honest – most core values sound great but change nothing.
"Integrity." "Excellence." "Innovation."
Seen these before? Of course you have. They're on the walls of gyms, startups, and Fortune 500 companies alike.
But do they actually guide daily decisions? Rarely.
As PushPress grew from a scrappy startup to a company serving thousands of gyms, we realized our core values weren't driving the behaviors we needed to succeed.
Why We Made The Switch
We've hit a growth inflection point. With 100+ team members and bigger ambitions, what worked when we were small just doesn't cut it anymore.
Our biggest challenge isn't defining what we believe – it's executing with excellence at scale.
The difference is subtle but critical:
Core values tell you what we believe
Operating tenets tell you how we work
This isn't just corporate jargon. It's about creating clarity around how decisions get made, problems get solved, and work gets done.
Everyone Is A Leader (But Not Everyone Is A Manager)
One more distinction to how we’re approaching work - we expect everyone to be a leader – regardless of title.
What's the difference between a leader and a manager?
Managers have direct reports
Leaders drive outcomes and influence others
In short, managers might not be a leader… and leaders might not have reports.
Leaders take ownership, make decisions, and help others succeed.
This distinction matters because execution doesn't just happen from top-down direction. It happens when everyone – from entry-level to C-suite – operates with the same principles.
The PushPress Way: Our Operating Tenets
So - without further ado, here they are – the principles that guide how we think, work, and lead. These aren't just nice-sounding phrases.
These are our new standards by which we will hire, evaluate performance against, and use to make tough decisions.
How We Think 🧠
Customer Obsessed - Our success is aligned with our customer's success. PERIOD. We listen, adapt, and solve problems like their businesses depend on us — because they do. We relentlessly earn and expand trust, even if it means saying "no" or "not now".
Big Picture Thinkers - We think about the future, set bold long-term goals and work backward to achieve them. We challenge limitations and position PushPress and our clients for lasting success.
Rationally Optimistic - We believe most problems have solutions, and progress starts with the belief that change is possible. We build optimism through facts and observation, ensuring our confidence is both rational and actionable.
First Principle Problem Solvers - We break big problems down to their core truths, question assumptions, and seek deeper understanding. We don't just accept how things have been done — we find better ways to operate. We embrace curiosity, continuous learning, and experimentation to drive innovation and refine our approach over time.
Company-First Mindset - We prioritize the success of the company over individual wins. By collaborating, sharing knowledge, and supporting each other, we ensure PushPress operates at its highest level.
How We Work 🚀
Urgency & Impact-Driven - We move with speed and intent, focusing on high-leverage actions that drive meaningful results. We make decisions efficiently and prioritize impact and progress over perfection.
Take Ownership & Dig Deep - We take full ownership of our responsibilities while trusting others to own theirs. When things don't add up, we dig deep — questioning assumptions, verifying details, and ensuring nothing is left to chance. We step up to challenges, drive solutions to completion, and hold ourselves accountable for the outcomes of our actions.
High Standards of Excellence - We demand excellence, rejecting mediocrity and constantly pushing for better. We balance speed with quality, ensuring that great work is the norm, not the exception. We learn fast from failures — holding ourselves to high standards while embracing mistakes as opportunities to improve.
Embrace Adaptability & Agility - Adaptability doesn't just ensure survival — it drives winners. Every well-laid plan requires adjustment, and we embrace change, using real-time data to refine our path and create better outcomes.
Disagree & Commit - In a diverse environment, differing perspectives are expected and valued. We challenge ideas with respect, using facts and logic to drive better decisions. Once a path is chosen, we align fully and execute with speed and conviction.
How Leaders Lead 🏆
Build & Elevate The Best Teams - The strength of PushPress is defined by the people we attract, develop, and retain. Building a world-class team starts with having a sharp eye for talent and an unwavering commitment to raising the bar. We dig deep into every candidate, challenge hiring decisions that don't meet our standards, and hold the same high expectations for performance. We move quickly to address mis-hires, invest in developing top talent, and ensure our best people have the challenges and opportunities to thrive.
Make Decisions & Own Outcomes - Even with lack of clarity, great leaders step up and drive decisions. When ownership is unclear, they take initiative, collaborate across teams, and ensure momentum isn't lost. They communicate decisions clearly, take full accountability for outcomes, and hold their teams to the same standard. Progress happens when leaders own the path forward.
Foster Trust & Collaboration - We communicate openly, listen actively, and treat each other with respect. Trust is built through transparency, accountability, and a commitment to shared success.
Drive Clarity, Focus & Context - We simplify complexity and align around what matters most. By staying well-informed and providing context, we help others operate with confidence and purpose.
Elevate ambitions - Great leaders think in terms of years and develop a compelling vision for that future. They guide their teams to understand this future and redefine what's possible by expanding short term thinking into long term ambition.
Solve problems - Leaders are a persistent force for progress. Our leaders must work with their teams and cross-departmentally to quickly and effectively solve problems — especially when they're hard.
What This Means For Gym Owners
You might be thinking: "That's great for a software company, but what does this have to do with my gym?"
Everything.
As a gym owner, you're running a business that is likely experiencing your share challenges. Would clarity help?
Ask yourself:
Do your coaches know exactly how they should think, act, and operate, beyond just running classes?
Are you building leaders in your company?
Is everyone (including your customers) aligned on how decisions get made?
Does your team understand what "great" looks like in their role?
Do you know what driving philosophies to interview for, train against, and ultimately what are non-negotiables that might mean parting ways with someone over?
If not, consider how shifting from vague values to concrete operating principles might transform your culture.
What's Next
Starting tomorrow, we'll dive deeper into each of these tenets – one per day. We'll explore what each tenet means for PushPress, but more importantly, how you can apply them to your gym business.
The gym owners we see succeeding most are the ones who treat their business like a business. That means having clear principles for how work gets done.
Maybe it's time to look at your own core values and ask: "Are these driving the behaviors we need to succeed?"
Coming tomorrow: "PushPress Tenant #1: Customer Obsessed - Why Your Gym's Success Depends On It"
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