01 - Dispel Values

Date: November 24, 2025 Author: Ethan & Ian From: Dispel CEOs To: All Team Members Subject: Dispel Values
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Purpose

This memo introduces Dispel’s four core values: Growth, Tenacity, Ownership, and Delight. These values aren’t new—they’ve been part of our DNA from the beginning. But as we’ve grown, we needed to give them clear language so everyone at Dispel can align around what makes us successful and what we expect from each other.

Background

When we first started building Dispel, our values weren’t written down anywhere—they just showed up in how we worked together. We were a small team then, fueled by intensity, trust, and the belief that if something needed to get done, someone would roll up their sleeves and do it. We kept our commitments. We set bold deadlines. We earned each other’s trust through action. And when we made mistakes—which we did—we learned fast and kept moving.

As more people joined, those unwritten rules became shared expectations. We noticed patterns: the people who thrived here took initiative without waiting for permission. They obsessed over the customer experience. They treated trust like something they had to earn every day. And no matter how tough the problem, they showed a level of grit that pushed the whole team forward. These weren’t just traits—they were the early DNA of the company.

But as we grew, something subtle started happening: different teams interpreted our unwritten values differently. The spirit was the same, but the language wasn’t. What “taking initiative” meant for one group didn’t mean the same thing for another. “Learning from mistakes” sometimes sounded like “don’t make any.” And our focus on trust and work ethic—while still core—didn’t fully capture the energy and ambition of who we were becoming.

So we paused. We stepped back. And we asked ourselves—not as executives or managers, but as people—What truly defines Dispel at our best? What behaviors power our culture, push our work forward, and make this place feel different?

Through those conversations, four themes rose to the surface. Not new ideas, but clearer expressions of what had always been there:

Growth captures our relentless curiosity and commitment to learning. We continually seek ways of pushing ourselves and the company to get better, faster, and smarter.

Tenacity reflects the grit and resilience we bring to challenges, knowing that big goals aren’t achieved without persistence, time, and hard work.

Ownership represents the pride and accountability we take for our work, stepping up to drive results without waiting to be told.

Delight reminds us to go beyond expectations, creating experiences that truly resonate with our customers, partners, and each other.

Together, these values tell the story of Dispel, guide the way we make decisions, and inspire the culture we’re building as we grow.

What This Means for You

These values aren’t just words on a page—they’re how we make decisions, evaluate our work, and hold each other accountable.

In your daily work, ask yourself:

  • Am I pushing myself to learn something new, or am I staying comfortable? (Growth)
  • When things get hard, am I leaning in or backing off and shying away? (Tenacity)
  • Am I waiting for someone to tell me what to do, or am I taking initiative? (Ownership)
  • Am I doing just enough, or am I creating something that exceeds expectations? (Delight)

In hiring and performance, these values will guide who we bring onto the team and how we evaluate success. We’re looking for people who embody these qualities and we’ll recognize those who demonstrate them consistently.

As we grow, these values will evolve. We’ll revisit them regularly, gather input from across the company, and refine them to stay aligned with who we’re becoming. Your voice matters in shaping what Dispel stands for.

Getting Started

Here’s what you can do this week:

  1. Reflect: Which of these four values resonates most with you? Which one challenges you?
  2. Notice: Watch for moments when you see teammates demonstrating these values—and call it out. Recognition reinforces culture.
  3. Discuss: In your next 1-on-1 or team meeting, talk about what these values mean in practice for your specific work.
  4. Decide: When facing a tough decision, ask which value should guide you. Use them as a framework, not just inspiration.

These values are now part of how we operate. Live them, question them, and help us make them real.

Support and Documentation


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