Provocare Coaching

Values are the guiding principles that define who we are and what we stand for. They shape and drive our decisions, actions, responses, and behaviours, ultimately determining our success and happiness. This blog aims to provide insight and guidance into the process for individuals or organisations who seek to understand their values, identify them, and live by them. Together, we will explore the meaning of values, how to identify your values, how to live by them, and how to deal with seemingly contradictory values.

What are Values?

The first step in understanding values is to define them. Values are the beliefs and principles that guide our behaviour and decision-making process. They stem from various sources such as family, culture, religion, education and life experiences. Some examples of values include honesty, respect, compassion, integrity, creativity, empathy, and teamwork. We talk a lot about them but often fail to take the time to reflect on them or their impact on our lives.

Identifying Your Values

Knowing your values is essential as it sets the foundation for your life decisions and goals. You must first understand yourself and what drives you to identify your values.

Begin by identifying moments in your life where you felt happy, fulfilled, or accomplished.

Consider what values were present during those moments and note them down.

Also, take note of moments or experiences where you felt uncomfortable, unfulfilled, or unsatisfied; these can also reveal the values you hold and strengthen or values that may be new or evolve because of new lived experiences.

Identifying your organisation’s Values

Organisations have values, too, which the founders and core leaders typically create. A company must understand its values as it serves as a basis for how employees interact with each other, motivate each other towards achieving goals, and build relationships with clients or customers. When exploring an organisation’s values, consider its mission statement and corporate culture. Analyse the words used, how they interact with each other, and what it says about their vision for the organisation; more importantly, look at what results they deliver.

Tools Used by Coaches

Coaches use various tools to help individuals or organisations identify and live by their values, such as the Values Clarification Exercise, the SWOT analysis, brainstorming methods, and the Value Hierarchy exercise.

The Values Clarification Exercise involves outlining specific situations that are important to you and ranking them in terms of importance. Doing this helps clarify your values and allows you to identify which are more important than others. The SWOT analysis, or Internal External Analysis, is used to analyse an organisation’s internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats to understand how they shape values.

Brainstorming methods involve brainstorming sessions to develop and analyse potential values regarding what is essential for an individual or an organisation. The Value Hierarchy exercise consists of identifying the most significant value and then narrowing it down to a few core values using a pyramid diagram.

Living by Your Values

Once you have identified your values, it is essential to live by them. Living by your values means making decisions and taking action that reflects what you value. It can mean saying no to opportunities that conflict with your values or standing up for your values when challenged. Living by your values requires effort and a willingness to face challenging situations that may arise when values are tested.

Ensure your organisation’s value is driven

Organisations need to ensure they are value-driven. All decision-making, strategies, and actions should reflect the organisation’s values. Regularly revisiting these values to assess how well they align with the organisation’s current goals is an effective way to stay on track and ensure everyone works together towards a common goal.

Organisations must also promote their values among all employees, customers or clients, and any external partners who work with them. This can be done through internal initiatives such as team-building activities or rewards that recognise value-driven behaviour and ensure project opportunities create an environment to implement them, showcase, and learn from them. Creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing their opinions while remaining true to the Mission is essential.

Dealing with Seemingly Contradictory Values

It is common to have values that seem to conflict with each other. For instance, valuing honesty and loyalty can be challenging when preserving someone’s dignity. In such cases, it is essential to prioritise your values and determine which one is important at that moment. Understanding that values are not rigid and can change over time is also helpful. Consistent reflection and evaluation of your values can help you know what’s most important to you.

How do you know if your values are healthy for you?

It is vital to regularly check in with yourself to assess if your values are healthy for you. Healthy values should align with your authentic self, help you feel fulfilled and motivate you to make life decisions that benefit yourself and those around you. If your values cause distress or anxiety to you or others, taking a step back and reflecting on them may be helpful. Additionally, reaching out to professionals and mentors you trust for guidance might be beneficial if needed.

Remember that embracing and practising your values is crucial to make an impact. Your values are the foundation of who you are and how you live; they should guide you. Balance is critical – living by your values means aligning with them without letting them become restrictive to you.

What do you do when your values are tested or challenged?

When your values are tested or challenged, it is essential to stay true to them. This situation can be difficult, but remaining steadfast and keeping your values at the forefront will help you make decisions that reflect your beliefs.

If the challenge is coming from someone close to you, such as a friend or family member, explain your point of view politely and respectfully.

Above all, remember that your values are personal, and it is essential to stay true to them when tested and respect people’s right to a different perspective. Living by your values is an integral part of being authentic.

If the challenge comes from someone outside your circle, take a step back and assess the situation before responding. You may find it helpful to consult with an advisor or mentor you trust for guidance on how best to handle the situation.

Overall, living by your values requires effort, intentionality, and dedication. It is important to remember that you can always make adjustments over time as needed – no one’s values are set in stone. With a consistent focus, healthy reflection and keeping your values at the forefront, and staying true to yourself, you will be better equipped to handle any challenges that come your way.

Importance of Consistency

Finally, it is crucial to recognise the importance of consistency in living by your values. Living by your values should not be situational. It should be part of who you are and how you conduct yourself in all aspects of your life. Consistency in your actions and behaviour gives your values meaning and relevance. It shows your commitment to those beliefs and principles that define you.

Understanding and living by your values is essential for individuals or organisations seeking to make a difference. It is the foundation for creating positive change and living a fulfilling life. Identifying your values, living by them, and dealing with seemingly contradictory values requires self-reflection, effort and a willingness to face challenges. It is a continuous process of reflection and evaluation that ultimately leads to personal growth and development. So take the time to understand and live by your values; you’ll see the benefits in all aspects of your life.

Below is a example list of personal core values that may help you get started in identifying your own