| How do I connect my values to my work? | Start by defining your values, then communicate them clearly and consistently. Let them guide your decision-making and shape your work. If you need help, there are a few values lists that can get you started. |
People often ask young people “What do you want to be when you grow up?” They expect an answer like doctor or teacher, assuming that you’ll still be yourself, just a little older.
No one asks the more important question: “Who do you want to be when you grow up?” This is a more important question, and one that every would-be leader should ask themself.
Who do you want to be?
How do you want to show up in the world this week? Who do you want to be in a few years? Do you know?
The answer to these questions say a lot about the things you believe are right and good and important in life. These are your values. And your values, consciously or not, shape your path through the world.
Values shape your leadership style and the organizational culture you nurture.
Here are just a few ways they influence your work:
Driven by different principles, two leaders with the same training, focusing on the same issue, would build very different organizations.
It’s not just what you do that matters — it’s how you do it.
If you want to be an effective leader, you should aspire to live your values consistently. When your values are clear, other people are more likely to understand your vision and needs; you make it easy to contribute and cooperate.
Values shouldn’t be a mystery. When you make your organization’s values clear, you set others up to succeed.
For example, if an office manager was aiming for efficiency when you expected kindness, they will make “wrong” choices. If your marketing team was aiming for authenticity and informality when you expected discretion and confidentiality, they will put out the “wrong” information.
Every set of personal and organizational values is unique. Don’t take it for granted that other people will know and share the same principles automatically. No leader and no organization is identical, so set your team up for success by making them clear upfront.
Values shouldn’t be contradictory and they shouldn’t change from week to week.
For example, if you say you value transparency but never share information, you team will learn that your real value is secrecy. If you say you value diversity but you only hire people similar to yourself, your team will learn that you actually value familiarity.
At worst, inconsistency breeds cynicism and casts doubt on your integrity. At best, it creates confusion.
When you bring a clear set of guiding values to an organization, every decision becomes easier. If an opportunity or crisis hits, the organization’s morals help people decide what to do.
You no longer need to plan for every possible scenario or micromanage every project decision, because your values provide a set of guiding principles for every choice.
Clarity and decentralization means that more people in an organization can make decisions with integrity. They’ll know what a good decision or outcome looks like, and they’ll be able to make wise judgement calls for themselves.
Putting values front and centre is a way to build a team capable of handling responsibility, thinking creatively, and doing more good.
Think about how your personal and organizational principles show up every day. What does creativity or generosity or justice actually look like in practice? How do you display it? Do you recognize it in the actions of others? How do you reward and encourage it? Do others on your team promote the same or complementary morals? When and why do you feel friction?
If your organization has a set of written values, memorize them and reference them often. Review them before making big decisions, during planning sessions, and at key staff meetings. Even a small reminder can influence what happens next.
If there are gaps between what you say and do, close those gaps. Aim for clarity and consistency.
Your values, conscious or not, shape your culture and the lives of the people around you. They are your credibility. They are your legacy.
The Organizer is a newsletter for people working to create equitable and sustainable communities. Whether you are part of a nonprofit, a charity, or a social enterprise, this newsletter is for you.
Each edition, we explore one aspect of social impact work. We answer a common “How do I …?” question, and we tell you about a tool that will help make your work a little easier. Subscribe for free at Entremission.com.