Why Values Matter
When I explain why your values matter, I see the “aha” moment in people’s faces.
Knowing your values allows you to be aware of synergy with others whose values complement yours. When you don’t know your values or don’t stand by them to try and accommodate others, you may get that feeling in the pit of your stomach you can't make go away when working with a certain individual or group.
Adam Grant recently wrote that anger arises when your core values are in jeopardy. With reflection, it becomes a mirror for seeing your principles more clearly.
When you do know them, and all is in alignment, you get the feeling that even if the work is challenging, things are easy, and information flows. Skill sets may be wildly different but somehow you work really well together with very few bumps in the road.
Both examples show that when our values are aligned, or misaligned, our workflow and productivity are affected. When it's easy and things are going well, we don't see it for what it is. We tend to think it’s because we like the person and get along with them when in fact it’s because our deepest priorities are in sync.
Each person has individual values we live by, including at our work. They don't need to be exactly the same to work well, nor do we need to be friends.
What do we need?
Know what makes us tick (values) and what it looks like (actions/behaviors)
Pay attention when things are or are not going well in a working relationship.
If our values are at odds, it is time to decide: what will I flex on, what is too important to me to sacrifice, and can I make this relationship work.
When you know your top 3-5 values, and you are clear as to what it looks like (actions), you are paving a long, potholed, and bumpy dirt road. Things go faster, questions are more clear, boundaries are easier to uphold.
Why? Because it means something to you and when you aren’t holding yourself back, you can do amazing things.
Take a moment today and write down your top 3-5 values and the behaviors that are associated with them. Put this somewhere in your workspace where you can see them often. Use them as your north stars when working with others. Notice when you are in alignment and when you are not; it may help guide important decisions.