What do you stand for? There are some that might disagree, but all of us have basic values.  And that’s just it - they are basic and unlikely to change.  Often referred to as core values, they can be a help or a hindrance to achieving in business (for reasons that may surprise you).  Rather than trying to ignore or change them (both almost impossible) find out how you can use your values to fuel your success. What are core values? Your core values are the things you hold dear to your heart, for example family, freedom or honesty.

As a manager you are a role model for your team. Do you know what you stand for?

Why are our core values important? Because they shape our behaviour. Without being consciously aware of it, we make choices everyday based on these values. When we make choices aligned with our values we feel good about what we are doing, and are potentially more committed and successful. Cognitive dissonance is the fancy term for the stress we feel when we behave in ways inconsistent with our values.  In these situations we are likely to be unmotivated, unconvincing and more likely to avoid, quit or escape! What has this got to do with running a business? As we said, our decisions are based on our values.  Therefore our business decisions are also influenced by our values – this can impact in three different ways: The way we operate We make choices around the way our business operates (aka systems) based on our values.  For example if honesty is a core value, you might design your organisational systems based on honesty.  This would be evident in the lack of cross-checks and security measures you have in place.  For example, you don’t use formal contract agreements, you have no financial cross-checks and you have informal reporting as you believe people will tell you want you need to know.  Can you see how this might get you into trouble?  Conversely applying honesty in your business in more appropriate areas can benefit your business.  For example, being honest with customers about a mistake and taking genuine steps to rectify it.  Being honest with staff around their performance and what is required of them, to really help them improve.  There is nothing inherently ‘wrong’ or ‘right’ about any of our values – it is how we choose to apply them that can benefit or disadvantage us.  What we do We tend to be more committed to things aligned with our values. Are we avoiding something because it goes against our values?  Is what we are trying to achieve in our business even consistent with our values?  Or are we spending too much time on something because it is aligned to our values, but not a high priority?  For example, if we value honesty are we actually disclosing more than we need to, and causing unnecessary stress or tension in our workplace? Interacting with Others It is easy to forget that we are all different. What we value may not be as important to someone else.  It is essential to remember this when dealing with others.  Understanding what we value, and what the other person values, is key in understanding expectations and motivations.  Often our expectations and management of others is based more on our values than theirs.  That’s OK if you share the same values, but in a work situation we are often interacting with people completely different to us (unlike a social situation where we can be attracted to people with similar values).  Therefore understanding differences in values and how we apply them, is vital to effective business management. So what can you do? Well the first step is to become more aware or your core values. Look at the list below and see if you can pick 4-6 that you find most appealing and another 4-6 that are least appealing.  Then, try to prioritise each group from 1-6.  This will tell you a lot about yourself. Next, see if you can identify examples of these values being enacted in your personal and business life.  Look at both the structural and behavioural aspects, i.e. the way you have things set-up or organised (or not!), as well as the way you behave.  (If you can't find any examples that support what you've chosen you may be trying to delude yourself!  Try picking some recent behaviours and work backwards identifying what values you think they illustrate - see if this feels more accurate.) . After that, you may like to do this exercise with someone you know reasonably well to see how different or similar you are.  Ask them to look at the structural and behavioural aspects too.  Try this with a few different people – it may broaden your appreciation of different values and how deeply they influence our lives. Some Values...     Acceptance Achievement Adventure Astuteness Authenticity Balance Camaraderie Caring Certainty Challenge Clarity Cleanliness Commitment Compassion Confidence Congruency Consciousness Contribution Courage Creativity Determination Excitement Fairness Faith Family Flexibility Focus Freedom Fulfilment Fun Giving Growth Happiness Honesty Independence Innovation Integrity Intellectualism Intuition Joy Kindness Leadership Leverage Love Nurturing Passion Patience Peace Persistence Power Practicality Progress Relaxation Resourcefulness Risk Security Self Belief Self Awareness Simplicity Spirituality Strength Support Transformation Truth Truthfulness Understanding Vision Win Win Winning Wisdom More Leadership & Management Tips    Subscribe to our regular tips   Contact us now    Management and Leadership Tools River Empowerment Ltd provide the following Management and Leadership tools, training and consulting services:   Consulting Consulting Programmes              Consulting Services                    Training Training Programmes                1 Day Workshops                       Speaking & Presenting           Tools Complimentary Management Tips                         Return to top