Our Values

The Explorer Spirit challenges the ‘status quo’ and brings in 'the new' in humankind’s path to progress. We embrace the human drive for positive change. A better world, a better life, a better feel. How? By being different, taking a more contrarian view. Questioning, debating, both are always welcomed – encouraged even. And we take smart risks to discover the new. New innovations. New territories. New directions. New ways of solving problems. This means making calculated, courageous moves when venturing into the unknown. Yes, the journey can be long and without instant rewards, but we always push ahead. Often, survival will call for a hands-on ‘gut-feeling’ approach when decisions need to be made. There is no phone to call home.

The Athlete Spirit celebrates today’s wins. But, also knows that tomorrow is a new day with new challenges and new opportunities to perform even better – new opportunities to strive for excellence. We trust in our fine skills to rise to even greater heights. Knowing our strengths and recognising our weaknesses fuels our constant restlessness, our drive to succeed; whether at work or play. The more we train, the more we learn, the better prepared we are to face whatever future obstacles come our way.

The Team Spirit harvests the power of the tribe. Humans have learned to combine different skillsets in a team to divide and conquer. This is how the game is won, again and again. And again. Not by the occasional spark of flash by star-strikers eager to display their individual brilliance, but by consistent, hard, team work. When everybody contributes, our team wins. We cross the finish line together and treat each other with respect. However, we are a sports team, not a family. This means that belonging requires contribution by all. Those who contribute the most, lead the team. At On leadership is earned, not given.

The Survivor Spirit has saved humankind from the forces of nature. Now we have become so dominant as a species that we are threatening our planet and humankind itself. No longer does survival mean defeating nature. Today, only
by saving it is winning achieved. It is our responsibility as both a company and individuals to do our part in saving the planet. But, turning back the wheel has never worked. Progress and exploration are in Homo Sapiens DNA — our DNA. For example, degrading the cushioning performance of On shoes to make them more sustainable is not the solution. Instead, we have to invent new, better materials that are recyclable, separate after use, and move towards a circular product. We need to ask ourselves: how do we rethink our work to lower our environmental impact? This is why we have to save the planet, nature, animals and ourselves. And we do it by getting smarter.

The Positive Spirit is what drives us to inspire those around us. This starts with our interactions and what we contribute in this most fundamental activity. How we listen, how we speak, how we tell a story, how we give joy. And the result? Happiness. A greater sense of wellbeing for all in our community. Positivity is contagious and has the power to create light, excitement and connection out of seemingly nothing. A power that we can use proactively and give without expecting to receive. Give, don’t take. Be selfless, not selfish. At On, we take pride in living the Positive Spirit, and delivering Wow.