The Root of Values

In the last article, I discussed how I fell that values need to be the beginning of leadership training. It is all good and well that we should know our values, but the question needs to be asked and answered: "where do we get out values from?"

We cannot rely on popular culture to direct our values, different societies hold to different things, and culture changes over time - some things that are acceptable today, were not tolerated 20 years ago. If you go back through history, you will see the alternate being true as well - not that long ago slavery was considered normal behaviour, now this would be frowned on in most cultures.

When I think about values, there are a few places that I can think of that we build our own from and the most important of these are religious beliefs, family and experience. All three of these define, shape and mould our values - those things which guide what and how we do it.

Religious Beliefs
Most religions have guidelines, some may call them commands, which we are expected to follow. These commands are there to help guide the way that we conduct ourselves. Most religions will agree that murder is not an option, although some may speak of extenuating circumstances. Most will agree that lying, cheating and steeling are not the best course of action, and there few that would disagree that showing kindness is of benefit. We should no what our beliefs expect.

Family
Our parents instilled something in us that defines what we choose and how we choose it. They showed us these values, based on how they live and what they felt is right and moral. There is a saying that goes "it is better caught than taught" and this is especially true of the values that we get from our parents. As we grow up in a home, what is done and encouraged as well as what is discouraged helps to define something of the values that we have. If exercise was was a common activity in your house while you were growing up, the chances are that you will have a value of physical fitness and strength.

Experience
As we grow up, go through education systems and then find ourselves in the ranks of the work force, we go through different things and are either tainted or shaped by them. Based on experience, I can tell you that for me quality is the value, and not quantity, for others it may be that life has taught you that friends are more trustworthy than family. The fact is that as we experience things, we learn, and as we learn, we grow in our convictions and values.

While there are other areas that we get values from, these three often prove to be the most often places for finding them.
If you are reading this, I would encourage you to write down what your own values are, understand where you get them from and also which are the most important to you. The next article will be about how to cope when your own values seems to contradict each other.

Please share and comment as well as feel free to ask questions.