Helping Immigrants Build a Future in Canada

The Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC) has been providing a supportive environment for newcomers to Canada since 1972.

It has grown to become one of the largest immigrant-serving agencies in Canada, with a national and international reputation in the field of migrant issues and services for immigrants and refugees. As its 50^th anniversary approached, ISSofBC’s new CEO saw an opportunity to renew the organization’s vision and values, alongside completion of a new strategic plan. Without straying far from its roots, it had grown into a large, culturally diverse organization with multiple offices. A refreshed vision and set of values generated through engagement with all staff would encourage a healthy, effective team culture.

ISSofBC engaged Junxion to facilitate this work, and to help the organization embed and embody its new values.

The Challenge 

ISSofBC is a culturally diverse organization with more than 400 staff from around the world. Articulating a clear and compelling vision of success and surfacing the shared values were deemed essential to protecting and enhancing a healthy and effective team culture. 

Establishing a bold new vision, as part of a new strategic plan, was deemed imperative as ISSofBC looks ahead to its next few years of service and growth. At the same time, ISSofBC’s existing values were still relevant, but the moment was opportune to review and renew them to ensure the organizational culture is aligned to the ambitious transformation to which ISSofBC aspires: a country where communities are more fulfilled and sustainable as a result of immigration. 

How We Helped

We started by distributing a customized values measurement survey to all staff, engaging everyone to ensure the new values reflect the best of the already strong organizational culture. The results informed a half-day workshop with senior management and staff to draft updated values. In a second workshop, Junxion supported participants in articulating a 10-year vision. 

These outcomes were captured in a report setting out the new vision and set of values—including the principles that underpin those values and the behaviours leaders hope to train, coach and measure across ISSofBC. The new values were shared with staff at a ‘town hall’ meeting. One year later, Junxion surveyed all ISSofBC employees to assess if the new values were resonant amongst all and well-embedded within the organization. 

We confirmed the strength of the existing culture and identified key, strategic interventions leaders and managers could take to further enhance the culture. We proposed these interventions in a values management workshop with senior leadership. Our recommendations were based on the ‘Five Dysfunctions of a Team’ model, a tool derived from Patrick Lencioni’s best-selling book of the same name, that helps leaders make their teams more cohesive and effective. Our workshop better equipped senior managers to have courageous conversations with colleagues and direct reports, based on a strong foundation of mutual trust. During the workshop, we developed an action plan to continue to embed these values more deeply, effectively and consistently across ISSofBC. 

Measuring Success 

Involving all employees in updating ISSofBC’s values has helped to align the organization internally. The survey results indicate that while there is room for improvement, there is a good foundation in place. 

These results also serve as a baseline against which to measure future progress. This analysis gives senior management the evidence and confidence to build on existing strengths, address the gaps, and continue to lead a strong and healthy organization.