Defining Our Core Values.
Clarity Creates Confidence.
Having a clear outline of our core values helps us to know who we are and what we stand for, allowing us to move forward with confidence.
Once we have a definite sense of our values, it also becomes easier to spot and engage with opportunities that align with our true sense of self. Consistently living in alignment with our values also shows other people that we are self-assured, certain of our goals and confident in the action we are taking.
As a leader, having a clear set of core values is crucial.
Others will be more inclined to follow and support someone who can confidently communicate and effectively demonstrate their values. Establishing a clear commitment to our values through our own authentic lived experience is an effective way to motivate and lead with conviction.
Exploring Meaning Behind the Terms
Defining core values takes time.
Dr Brene Brown recommends prioritising just two core values, which can be really tricky!
Reducing the list down to two forces us to examine the subtle but important differences between them. For example, the core values of knowledge and learning may initially seem to be similar in that they seem to follow the same theme of education, however once we explore their meaning in relation to our own lives, it becomes easier to see a difference. In this instance, we could think of knowledge along the lines of mastery and realisation, and learning in terms of acquisition and development. These values would then manifest differently in our life choices, for example in our occupation or relationships, one perhaps coming from a place of authority and command and the other alluding to an ongoing process of gaining information.
Being Honest and Authentic
We may even find that our initial ideas alter.
Once we give ourselves time to think about our values, and to consider the ways in which they show up in our relationships and daily lives, we may find that our first impressions aren’t necessarily accurate. We aspire to be a certain way, but is that reality?
This stage of the process may also require a little bit of honesty! If you like to think of health as a priority, but then you consistently fall back into unhealthy habits, perhaps at the weekends, then you may need to reconsider!
Our authentic values are the ones that we live by, the ones that show up consistently in our lives, regardless of the situation.
“We don’t have to be perfect, just engaged and committed to aligning values with actions”
Dr Brene Brown
-
- Take a look at the list and see which values resonate with you?
-
- Do you already have a list of values? Could you reduce the number to two?
-
- Once you have your list, perhaps discuss your thoughts with the people around you, are they of the same opinion?
How did it go?
