Send to KindleValues. If you ask Google about values, you’ll get over 270 million hits. Values must be a pretty interesting subject. If you ask “what are values” you’ll get another 170 million plus hits. So, there are a lot of people talking about values.
When I work with leaders, and especially when I help them build strategic plans, I emphasize values because they are vitally important. When a leader doesn’t understand his or her values, they find it more difficult to lead, especially in difficult situations. Likewise, when an organization’s values are not clearly defined, its members may find it difficult to perform in the way leadership expects. Defining values is one of the very first steps to success.
But, how do leaders define values? It’s easier than it seems, but does require a little thought and self-reflection. First, let’s define what values are. In this context I define values as those things that guide you in your everyday life. No doubt your parents tried to instill certain behaviors and standards as you were growing up. You may have internalized those, or you may not. But that’s what I’m referring to as values.
When thinking of values though, keep in mind they’re usually nouns. If your list of values includes verbs, you’ve probably defined goals rather than values. For instance, a person once told me one of her values was to quit smoking. While that was certainly an admirable goal, it wasn’t a value.
So, what are your values? To figure this out, sit down with a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle. On the right side write several words or short phrases that define behaviors you find absolutely abhorrent. For instance, I cannot deal with people who are dishonest with me, so I would write, “dishonesty.” This may seem odd but bear with me.
On the left side of the paper, write several words or short phrases that define those things you deeply believe in. For instance, I believe in producing the best quality possible, which I define as “excellence.” You should have a few words and/or short phrases on each side of your paper. Now compare them. Most likely the words and phrases on the right side of the paper will tend to be opposite of the words and phrases on the left side. Draw a line between the words and phrases that are opposites. These most likely represent your most important values.
Did you have some words or phrases left over? These most likely represent values that are not as strongly held as the others; but, feel free to add them to your list.
I recently heard a person speaking about reactions to the news that cancer was spreading rapidly and only a short time remained. As I listened, I realized that this person knew what her values were and had lived her life by them. Though she was naturally distraught, she did not feel any regrets about the way she had lived her life. I realized that a good test is to ask yourself the following question. Do I know what I believe and am I living by those values?
