What Are Your Values Today?

What are your values today? Are your values aligned with what drives you? Are you living your best life accordingly?

At some time in our life, most of us feel the need to assess and even re-evaluate our values and what is truly important to us.

Unfortunately, we often add this to our "task list" and then avoid investing the time needed to experience the benefits. It’s much easier to keep doing what we’re doing.

But, then something happens that jolts us out of our complacency.

Loss or profound disappointment usually does the trick:

• something we expected and predicted would change our life or our status in life: a job, a new position, a promotion, financial security
• someone: death of a loved one, critical illness of a loved one, an estranged relationship
• something that has defined our value in the outside world: respect of a friend or colleague; admiration of a child or an elder
• our own health, capability, and capacity

Even a minor event can illuminate something that just feels off and can trigger a shift. I have written about that feeling that makes you say "Hmmm" followed by "How did I end up here?". Check this blog series beginning with When Your Values Shift ¹

As I share with my coaching clients, it’s time to examine your values.

How to Identify Your Values Today

Based on their research of psychology and the model of human value, motivation, and drive created by Dr. Spranger, Drs. Allport, Vernon, and Lindzey created an instrument to measure value hierarchy that was summarized in the blog Understanding What Drives You ²

The most current version of the Values Index (Innermetrix Values Index ³) has been updated with the seven dimensions:

1. Aesthetic: Each experience is judged from the standpoint of grace, symmetry, or fit. Contrary to #7 Theoretical dimension, life is seen as a procession of events; each enjoyed for its own sake. Chief interest is in the beauty of life. In my terms, what brings "awe" and "joy" into my life.
2. Altruistic: Concern for the welfare and/or happiness of others resulting in quality of life both material and spiritual: kindness, sympathy, and selflessness. Contrary to #5 Political dimension, love is itself the only suitable form of human relationship. Consider the many references in music, film, and literature titled "Love is All You Need" 
3. Economic: Interest in what is useful, practical, and focuses on security and bottom-line results and returns. In some instances, there is a regard for #6 Regulatory dimension. But, frequently this dimension conflicts with other values. We witness this misalignment in business, the workplace, and in our broader social context.
4. Individualistic: Desire and intent to express uniqueness and to be granted freedom over our actions. Contrary to #5 Political dimension, this dimension seeks neither power nor control over others or the environment in general, but does rail against subjugation by any external force. Consider the conflict and polarization over our rights over our bodies.
5. Political: Interest is primarily in power and control. This dimension is the most universal and most fundamental of motives. Consider the effects of personal power, influence, and renown, and the conflict with other dimensions.
6. Regulatory: Seeks unity. Interestingly and often described as mystical. Yet, good intentions directed towards achieving structure, order and the sense of being one with the system. Can align well with #4 Individualistic when assessed with deep reflection in personal, professional, and business leadership. For further reading, consider researching the work on compliance vs Integrity-based cultures ⁴
7. Theoretical: Interested in discovery of truth. Seeks only to observe, reason, understand and systematize knowledge with absence of judgments regarding the beauty or utility of objects.

How Your Coach Can Help with Deep Work on Values

A qualified coach who specializes in coaching her client's "essence", would have the tools to help you rate these seven dimensions for your personal, professional, and/or business leadership.

It's important to identify the many combinations that influence your interests and drive your behaviour.

• Your two highest dimensions are the most inspirational.
• The middle three are situational. In certain circumstances these might be an important factor or influence.
• Your two lowest scoring dimensions are actually de-motivational and are important to note for your overall well-being and alignment with your highest values.

For example: If you score high for the Altruistic dimension and average in the Economic dimension, you might be inclined to give away your expertise or products or compromise on your salary requirements. Knowing this about yourself will help you plan how and when to say “yes” or when to "pass" on an opportunity that might cause regret and misalignment with what is best for you.

Identifying your values today will help you understand what drives you, what motivates you, and what inspires you. You will become more effective in everything you do. And, you will love and respect who you are, and thereby support your Best Self going forward.

Are you living your best life accordingly? Are you celebrating your Best Self?

References and Resources

1. When Your Values Shift , Encore Blog, November 11, 2022
2. Understanding What Drives You, Encore Blog, November 18, 2022
3. Innermetrix Values Index
4. Leading with integrity vs. compliance in your company code of ethics, LRN Inspiring Principled Performance, updated July 14, 2021

Your Next Steps

• Explore the connections I make with this topic related to Self-Regard, Self-Actualization, and other areas of emotional intelligence. Contact with me on LinkedIn. Or click to Get in Touch. 
• Contact me to explore the opportunity to create your customized plan for your Personal Foundation supported by a professional coaching plan to develop personal best practices based on your values and principles.
• Receive Maestro's Encore blog in your inbox with VIP content and specific exercises, self-assessments, and self-assignments related to this topic and to accelerate your emotional well-being and resilience. Start with your 90-Day EQ Mini-Plan or the mini workbook Emotions Drive Performance: Triggers from Thinking to Results - Predispositions, Self-Handicapping, Self-Sabotage 

• Explore strategies for finding fulfillment after 60. Schedule a 30-minute complimentary call to explore possibilities. On this call, we will get acquainted and discuss what outcome is important to you. I will explain the application process for working with me and how we would work together. By the end of the call, you will have a "quick-win" action plan.