We all have personal values and we think about them consciously or unconsciously. They influence or actions, decisions, relationships, and they shape the way others see us. Most people like to believe they have values that are clear and honourable and that they live and breathe those values. But what are your personal values and what role do they play in business?
Values are strange things, everyone believes they are important but few ever talk about what their personal values are. I regularly work with teams including top teams that say they are value driven but never stop to think about what those values are or whether the individuals in the team have the same values or what the shared team values are. So what? What if values are never discussed or posted on the wall, what’s the problem? Well, the problem is that if you don’t know what your values are or what the team values are you probably look inconsistent to others. Inconsistent in your actions and decisions. If you (or the team) appear inconsistent, those that interact with you will prepare themselves for your inconsistency and hold back or walk tentatively around you. You in turn will then act more inconsistent and the whole process becomes self fulfilling.
Being clear about your values and the value of the team helps you set direction; it gives you a North Star to guide you.
How can you be clear about your values or those of the team? There are a couple of approaches I take when working with clients and they always begin in the same way. This is one approach:
1. Start with you own personal values. Don’t even think about looking at team or shared values until you are clear about your own. The way to do this is to work independently and start to make a list of values, at this stage don’t limit yourself just make a list of values. This list can be as long as you want. Take time to do this.
2. Once you have the list start to highlight those values that mean something to you, you don’t need to explain what that something is.
3. Now start to reduce the number of values. If you have more than 10 highlighted, reduce them down to 10 – take off those that are less important to you. This is still private so be selfish. Don’t worry about what others make think or say.
4. Now again reduce the number of values, this time go down to 5.
5. Once you have 5, reduce them down to 3. This isn’t always easy so take your time.
6. Now take a break and do something different. A little later, or even a few days later, come back to the 3 values and think about what they mean to you? Are they the right 3 values for you? Do you live these values?
7. If these are the right 3 values then good job. If they are not then well done, you’ve just had a revelation – go back to step 2.
8. At this stage keep those values in mind and continue with your life or job. At the end of each week reflect on decisions you made or interactions you had. Did you live those values? If you did then you have your values and you are now ready to share them.
When working with teams it is only at this point that I ask all team members to share their values by writing them on flipchart paper and pinning them to a wall. The team looks at each other’s values and looks for common values. Don’t assume that the same words mean the same values! Don’t try to have a long list or aim for a specific number – if you have one shared value then you have one shared value.
