Values.
Values is a topic not that often talked about, but one that plays a huge role in behavior and results. They are personal and not always clearly defined. Thus, they remain an important but under-discussed and under-appreciated part of who you are as a person and a leader.
Today, I want you to think about your values and understand why investing that time and thought is valuable. I'm not going to tell you what values to have, which are "best," or anything like that. Such an attempt would be silly and unsuccessful anyway.
Rather, I'll give you five practical and straigthforward reasons values matter - and how you can apply them in daily work. But first, let me make one thing clear: Everyone has values that become far more valuable when they are clearly understood and defined.
Let me say that again.
Your values are most valuable when they are clearly understood and defined.
So today, your best first step is to outline your values and write down those most important to you.
Read on, but commit to taking that first step (if you haven't done so recently).
The Five Reasons Values Matter to Leaders
Values guide your decisions
As a leader, you have many decisions to make. There are those that impact just you, and those that impact many others. Decisions, big or small, can be made faster, easier, and with greater confidence when you start with your values. Run your decisions against the schema of your values. Do so consciously at first. Then, after much practice, it will remain intentional but become more subconscious. It is the best place to start.
Values strengthen your ability to influence
When you communicate from your values, you connect to your passions. People are drawn to you and more likely to hear your message when you speak with passion. You will be more successful in persuading and influencing. As a leader, it should be self-evident why your values matter in this way.
Values create clarity
When you are clearer, your life becomes easier in so many ways. Clarity helps you focus, be more productive, and so much more. One of the quickest ways to gain clarity in your life is by first being clear about your values. When you work from this starting point, all the other benefits of clarity will follow.
Values reduce stress
Most people I know would like less stress in their lives. As a leader, it is doubly important because your stress is contagious - it infects those around you. When your decisions are faster, communication is easier and you are clearer about things. Clarity reduces stress! You may not have thought about values in this way in the past. However, it is completely true that living from your values is a wonderful way to reduce stress.
Values guide your actions
I saved this for last on purpose. It is one thing to know and understand your values. It is another thing to behave in accordance with them, and this impacts all of the ideas shared so far. For it is when you understand and then act on your values that all the benefits are gained. This is the most practical of these benefits. Your values guide your actions.
While having clear values helps define who you are, they can be so much more useful on a daily basis. Values matter. Being clear on your values helps you be a more effective, productive, and confident leader.
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