If we are looking for values, the list could be long. You only need to search a little bit in google images, and you will find a lot of images with very good values to follow and respect. Here is an example of that:
I started to look for “my” values some time ago, and with all those pictures about values, I was overwhelmed. It was impossible to focus on one thing.
On the other hand, some time ago, Seedbox (it is the company that I have been working with for the last 18 months as Scrum Master) publicly listed the core values of the company:
- Innovation
- Trust
- Knowledge
- Collaboration
- Passion
I didn’t know what to do, all of the values are good to respect and follow, but I didn’t feel them to be “my” values. I fully respect the company’s values; it is a guide for me while working with the company. I could not work with a company if I didn’t agree with their values. However, I had yet the same question in my mind: “What are my core values”? As an answer; I had a lot of good values, but I didn’t feel that they were my core values.
With all this in mind, my next step was to start researching for my own core values. At the end of few exercises, and reflections, I was able to come up with my core values, and why these values are important for me. Today I decided to share this with you. My discovery starting with:
My core values
- Respect
- Love
- Passion
- Knowledge Sharing
- Transparency
Why are core values important?
1) Core values are who you are: We are all different. Period! Core values show us how different we are, what is really important for us, how we get motivated, and a few more things. It allows us to know our-selves better. Core values are the heart of our personality.
2) Core Values help you to take decisions: How much time do we take to make one decision? In my case, it takes me a lot of time. At the moment you know your core values, and you know the core values of others; now the decision making process could be simplified. With core values in mind, you open the doors to a question like: “how does this decision respect our values”? You could build very powerful questions around this.
3) Core values build stronger relationships: We can build relationships because you like someone else, or because he/she is smart, or because she/he has a good job, or because you are able to work well with him/her. However, there are studies and real case examples that when we build relationships based on our values, the relationship is stronger. This does not mean that you only need to build relationships with people that have the same values that you have. It just means that, at the moment, both shares their values, both need to be sure that other people’s values are respected between them. In the end, the core values of each person are part of their personality. If we are not able to respect them or consider them, maybe it is a good idea that you don’t build a relationship.
These values today help me to make decisions, and I am sure that when I do something, I will be using my values to guide me. At the moment when I am not able to use them in what I do, I feel bad, sometimes, I even feel frustrated. In the future and with a lot of practice, I hope to master my core values and I hope to avoid any situation/relationship that does not respect my core values. That is my intention.
Since this was the first time that I asked myself for my core values; to validate them, I did a self-retrospective. I went back to 12 months ago, and wrote down all the actions that I remember I did, and my feelings at the time as well. I stopped after ten or twelve, it was very clear that those were my core values or part of them. Every time I felt happy with my action, almost all values were there. When I remember that I felt sad/mad/frustrated/angry, I could clearly see that I missed 3/4/5 of my values.
What about your core values? Do you know them?
Feel free to share your thoughts about your journey to find your core values and how you use them.
Thanks,
Omar
[Reference]
Here, there is a very interesting exerciser to help you to find your core values: “Mountains and Valleys”