Our Values

Shortly after founding the firm we sat down together as a team and defined how we wanted to interact with our clients and with each other. We came up with a list of attributes we aim to deliver that we call the "North Berkeley Way." Together they form a set of ideals that shape the way we deliver services to everyone.

• Bring your true self to all interactions
• Value the whole person
• Be present – this is a higher form of integrity
• Listen, especially for what is not said
• Have compassion,patience, and flexibility
• Show gratitude
• Deliver excellence, deliberately paced and in collaboration with colleagues and with clients
• Bring creativity AND thoroughness to the work (both are possible if we are doing the right kind of listening)
• Share enthusiasm and laughter

More recently, we have been thinking about creating more clarity in communication, both with our clients and with each other. We developed a set of three questions to act as "communications cornerstones" that when easily answered can contribute to more satisfying and effective interactions:

• Do you understand what is going on and what is going to happen next?
• Do you feel taken care of?
• Do you feel that you are important?

We use the 'North Berkeley Way' and communications cornerstones daily to shape how we work for and with our clients and others in our community.