Why values are important

“Our values inform our thoughts, words and actions”

Our values are important because they help us to grow and develop. They help us to create the future we want to experience.

Every individual and every organisation is involved in making hundreds of decisions every day. The decisions we make are a reflection of our values and beliefs, and they are always directed towards a specific purpose. That purpose is the satisfaction of our individual or collective (organisational) needs.

There are four types of values that we find in an organisational setting: individual values, relationship values, organisational values and societal values.

Individual values

Individual values reflect how you show up in your life and your specific needs-the principles you live by and what you consider important for your self-interest. Individual values include: enthusiasm, creativity, humility and personal fulfilment.

Relationship values

Relationship values reflect how you relate to other people in your life, be they friends, family or colleagues in your organisation. Relationship values include: openness, trust, generosity and caring.

Organisational values

Organisational values reflect how your organisation shows up and operates in the world. Organisational values include: financial growth, teamwork, productivity and strategic alliances.

Societal values

Societal values reflect how you or your organisation relates to society. Societal values include: future generations, environmental awareness, ecology and sustainability.

There is a significant difference between values and beliefs.

Beliefs

Beliefs are assumptions we hold to be true. When we use our beliefs to make decisions, we are assuming the causal relationships of the past, which led to the belief, will also apply in the future.  In a rapidly changing world where complexity is increasing day by day, using information from the past to make decisions about the future may not be the best way to support us in meeting our needs.

Beliefs are contextual: They arise from learned experiences, resulting from the cultural and environmental situations we have faced.

Values

Values are not based on information from the past and they are not contextual. Values are universal. Values transcend contexts because they are based on what is important to us: They arise from the experience of being human.

Values are intimately related to our needs: Whatever we need—whatever is important to us or what is missing from our lives—is what we value.  As our life conditions change, and as we mature and grow in our psychological development, our value priorities change. When we use our values to make decisions, we focus on what is important to us—what we need to feel a sense of well-being.