Work Fulfillment: Why Values Matter

Learning Objectives Develop a clear understanding of the meaning of values Develop a clear understanding of the meaning of values Develop an appreciation for the role of values in life and work Develop an appreciation for the role of values in life and work Develop a perspective on the role of values relative to Personal and Institutional Mission and Goals Develop a perspective on the role of values relative to Personal and Institutional Mission and Goals Engage in a learning exercise to clarify/affirm personal values Engage in a learning exercise to clarify/affirm personal values

Learning Objectives cont. Engage in a learning exercise to assess harmony and dissonance in values Engage in a learning exercise to assess harmony and dissonance in values Develop an understanding of alternative strategies for dealing with conflicting values Develop an understanding of alternative strategies for dealing with conflicting values Develop an understanding of strategies for resolving differences Develop an understanding of strategies for resolving differences Engage in a learning exercise to relate my values to my success factors at work Engage in a learning exercise to relate my values to my success factors at work

The Meaning of Values Definition Definition –Values are ideals that guide or qualify ones personal conduct, interactions with others, and involvement in career choices They help distinguish what is right from what is wrong They help distinguish what is right from what is wrong They inform on how one can conduct life in a meaningful way They inform on how one can conduct life in a meaningful way

The Role of Values Personal Values Personal Values –Principles that define you as an individual –Determine how you perceive the world and engage with it Cultural Values Cultural Values –Principles that sustain connections with your cultural roots –Help you feel connected to a larger community of people with similar backgrounds

The Role of Values cont. Social Values Social Values –Principles that govern how you relate to others –Help structure meaningful relationships in social situations: family, friends, co-workers Work Values Work Values –Principles that guide your behavior in professional contexts –Defines your work relationships and integrity in performance

Strategic Properties of Values Values are dynamicthey can change over time Values are dynamicthey can change over time Values are influenced by developmental phases of life Values are influenced by developmental phases of life Values are a reflection of self-esteem/self- worth Values are a reflection of self-esteem/self- worth Values are reflected by personal behavior as much or more than by what we say Values are reflected by personal behavior as much or more than by what we say

Values Relative to Mission and Goals Values Values –Principles which assess alignment or misalignment with the Mission –What it takes to fulfill the Mission and in what character it will be done Mission Mission –The summary statement of purpose –The specific task with which a person or group is charged

Values Relative to Mission and Goals cont. Goals Goals –The strategies by which the Mission will be fulfilled –The measurable outcomes by which success is determined

Matters of Harmony and Dissonance in Values Harmony Harmony –The degree to which a belief or action is congruent with other beliefs and actions –The experience of the belief or action being syntonic (responsive and adaptive) to the whole picture Dissonance Dissonance –The inconsistency between the beliefs one holds or between ones actions and ones beliefs –The experience of being incongruent (disharmony among the constituent parts)

Learning Exercises Clarifying/Affirming Personal Values Clarifying/Affirming Personal Values –Personal Values Checklist Assessing Harmony and Dissonance in Values Assessing Harmony and Dissonance in Values –Personal Values and University Values

Examples of Conflicting Values Advancement and promotion vs Family Advancement and promotion vs Family Creativity vs Security Creativity vs Security Stability vs Location Stability vs Location Close relationships vs Time Freedom Close relationships vs Time Freedom Fame vs Serenity Fame vs Serenity Freedom vs Responsibility and accountability Freedom vs Responsibility and accountability

Strategies for Dealing with Conflicting Values Assess the Core Values: Can the values accommodate what Im looking for Assess the Core Values: Can the values accommodate what Im looking for Resolve personal conflicts first: Establish internal consistency Resolve personal conflicts first: Establish internal consistency

Strategies for Dealing with Conflicting Values cont. Review boundaries: What is mine; what is not mine Review boundaries: What is mine; what is not mine Re-commit to values: Either to existing values or new values Re-commit to values: Either to existing values or new values

Strategies for Resolving Differences Communication: Communication: –Straightforward Positioning –Active Listening Determine any options for deference Determine any options for deference (clarify boundaries) Determine any grounds for negotiation Determine any grounds for negotiation

Strategies for Resolving Differences cont. Review other options: Creativity and Innovation Review other options: Creativity and Innovation Letting go on principle Letting go on principle

Learning Exercise Relating personal values to success factors at work Relating personal values to success factors at work –Personal Values Checklist and Lehighs Core and Managerial Success Factors

Summary Values are the ideals that give us a foundational reference point in all of our important life decisions/choices Values are the ideals that give us a foundational reference point in all of our important life decisions/choices Values serve as the rationale for the Mission we subscribe to and the catalyst for the Goals that we determine to pursue Values serve as the rationale for the Mission we subscribe to and the catalyst for the Goals that we determine to pursue

Summary cont. Values register as either congruent (harmony) or incongruent (dissonance) as we make commitments in our life Values register as either congruent (harmony) or incongruent (dissonance) as we make commitments in our life Values ultimately guide us to make choices about what we can and cannot tolerate in our lives and remain fulfilled in our daily commitments Values ultimately guide us to make choices about what we can and cannot tolerate in our lives and remain fulfilled in our daily commitments