Check Yourself, Check Your Values!

The word for the week is "Values”

We all strive to work in today’s dynamic times without compromising our values. When the way we want to live your lives is aligned with our actions, we are happy. When they are in conflict, unhappiness sets in and conflict ensues. This conflict destroys your ability to be creative, to innovate and grow personally and professionally.

This week complete this awareness exercise to discover the behaviors that tell the world what you feel is important, what guides your life, your values. List your top five values. Next to each value, state your behaviors that are evidence to you and the world that these are your values. For example: My number one value is family. Everyone will know this because I rarely work evenings and weekends so I can spend time with my family. When you have completed the five values and evidence, put this in a safe place.

Next, identify five people to help you with this awareness exercise--a spouse, co-worker, friend, associate, etc. Ask each to do the same, about you, not themselves. Avoid the temptation to give them examples you want them to acknowledge. Insist they write them down with no discussion and pass the paper or send the email to you. Assure them you are doing this exercise to grow and live the life you want.

Privately, compare the lists with your own. Can you spot any trends, what have you learned? Knowing your values can really be helpful when you are making decisions that affect how you live your life.

I am living my values through my words and actions.

Comments

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Welcome to My Leadership Blog!

I don’t have to tell you that thinking outside the box is critical to success in today’s bustling world. As busy leaders, it is a daunting task to find the time to strengthen our leadership skills, attend to our family and contribute in a meaningful way to our community. Often we feel overwhelmed and find it difficult to set priorities when, so it seems, everything is a priority. Yet, we suck it up and move ahead, not sure if the problem is “us” or “them.” Certainly, we can all agree that working harder doesn’t always get the desired results. Throughout my 38 years as a public relations and business strategist and executive coach, I’ve observed that sometimes it is “us” and sometimes, it is “them.” Recently, I reflected on all I learned over the years as a student of human behavior and was compelled to write the blog I wish I could have read 30 years ago. I have a personal library filled with books on leadership, emotional intelligence, coaching and the like.

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