At the What Works Institute, we are guided by a set of strongly held principles and values that we collectively call our Beliefs.

These Beliefs hold equally true in serving our members, solving complex problems, and navigating the day-to-day challenges of running a business. They are:

Safety is Health is Safety is Health. Their mutual influence is undeniable & false distinctions between the two serve only to divide & create barriers.

The Health of Our Planet is Essential to the Health of our People. Our fates are individually and collectively intertwined; we will not survive without it.

Treat People Like People. Whether in business, in safety, or in relationships, every person is worthy of respect. We must make conscious effort to confer it.

A Good Message is a Prerequisite for a Good Solution: The power of connection is as important as the power of correction. Don’t underestimate stories.

We are Undergoing Vast Communication & Cultural Transformation: We must react accordingly & embrace new strategies, tactics & perspectives.

Systems are Resistant but not Immune to Change: Inequities, biases, & power imbalances are real. But change is possible through collaboration with industry, government, labor & academia.

Values: We embrace the following four values: Passion, Honesty, Scrappiness & Empathy.
Our people love what they do, speak truth to power, problem solve creatively, and put themselves in the shoes of others.