Contrary to popular belief, i had discovered that we ( Corporate Execs, Managers, People, Junkies), have a big misunderstanding about values.
The belief in corporate world is " Values are nothing else but good meaning (good looking as well) words and statements, typed and showcased in expensive golden frames on the office corridor walls".
As a Vision Exercise facilitator, i always enjoy watching people do some funny stuff while they are going through "Value Articulation" session. Most of them, barring few are engaged in finding some beautiful words and statements. And when am about to lose my cool, someone sometimes asks a very fundamental question. "Hey lets stop. Lets first find out, what is a value??"
And then i get up, most of the time, with a wicked smile and say this "I was desparately waiting for someone to actually ask this question? And now that you have asked let me give you a simple answer"
Values are action triggers. Whatever you value you will do that. It will reflect in your action naturally. You cant adopt a value. Value is already something thats running you.
For eg. If you have a urgent meeting at office and your friend calls for help as he is not well and hospitalized? What will you do? Just pause and ask this question to yourself.
If you value your friendship you might reschedule meeting, if you value work you might go to your friend after sometime.
However there is one more thing about values. It will force you to choose in critical moments. And hence what reflects in the critical moments in your jobs, careers and business are your values. And they are reflected not by what you say, but by what you do....
Seems like a long post...but i feel it was worth it...Let me know what you feel??
