Episode 07: The Magic of Knowing Your Values
Your Core Values are a Compass
Knowing your core personal values plays an important role in guiding how you make decisions and what actions you take. Enjoy!
Listen Here:
(The notes below are only a brief summary of what is discussed in the podcast. Be sure to listen to get all of the goodness! If you would like a full transcription of the episode, please send an email request to: angie@angie-robinson.com. We’d be happy to provide that!)
In this episode, we are talking about the magic of knowing your values.
The dictionary definition of ‘values’ is: a person’s principles or standards of behavior; one’s judgment of what is important in life.
You are probably familiar with company values. Many companies establish core values - which define what the organization believes and how you want your organization resonating with and appealing to employees, customers and the external world. They act as a guide in goal-setting, decision making and strategy execution. They tend to influence the culture and the climate of the workplace.
The same methodology and reasoning that an organization adopts can and should be adopted by individuals - especially those in a leadership role.
Why is knowing your values important? How can being clear on your own personal values make a difference in your work and your life?
I love this quote by Roy E. Disney (nephew of Walt Disney):
“It’s not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.” That is a good summary of why it is important.
In addition, your values;
serve as a guide in our decision-making
serve as a guide in our behaviors
provide a checks and balance to make sure where we work, who we do business with and what we surround ourselves with is in alignment
help to reduce internal complexity, struggle and stress
allows us to lead with great clarity around our vision and goals
creates transparency, which builds trust, enhances engagement and ultimately improves results
How can you discover what your core values are?
First of all - identify the top 4-6 is best (or less). Any more becomes hard to live by.
You can just start to notice what makes you feel good and what doesn’t. Ask yourself what values sit beneath those situations that give you the particular feeling.
Take a personality assessment (my favorite is Insights!! I’m accredited and can help you with that!) - find your values embedded in your results.
Complete a worksheet like the one I provide on my website: Discover Your Values worksheet
When you are clear on what your top values are:
Check your thoughts about them. When you are transparent about your values - this can open you up to vulnerability around who you are and what you stand for. This could be uncomfortable for some. Get comfortable with the uncomfortable.
Communicate your values to those you lead. Tell them your why and how they might show up.
Don’t expect others to adopt your values. Your values may provide guidance and awareness of why you do what you do. But others’ have their own core values. You need to honor those as well.
Check-in with yourself when making decisions. DO they align with your values?
Notice discomfort. This could be a sign of misalignment.
Hold yourself accountable.
Look for opportunities to stretch yourself.
Your values are the things that you believe are important in the way you live and work. They determine your priorities, and deep down, they are probably the measures you use to tell if your life is turning out the way you want it to.
What do you think?
Are you clear on what your values are?
How do they show up in your leadership and life?
Links
Discover Your Values Worksheet (Angie Robinson)
Insights Discovery: Personal Profile
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