The_Essential_Manager_s_Handbook

26 / UNDERSTANDING YOURSELF

Clarifying your values

Defining values

Values are formed early in our lives,

from the influence of our parents,

teachers, friends, religious leaders, and

media role models. Some may change

as we go through life and experience

different behaviors. Your values

manifest themselves in everything you

do and the choices that you make. If you

are someone who particularly values

promptness, for example, you will make

sure that you always behave in ways that

mean you are on time for appointments.

The thought of being late will stimulate

feelings of stress in you, and induce

a subsequent adrenaline rush as you

hurry to be at the appointment on time.

As a manager, it is important for you

to clarify your values, so that you can

determine what your goals are and

how you want to manage yourself

and others to achieve them.

Clarifying your

personal values

It may sound strange, but one of the

best ways to clarify your personal

values and gain a clear understanding

of what is important to you is to

think about how you would like to

be remembered in your eulogy. Sit

quietly and consider how you want your

friends and family to remember you,

and what you want your work colleagues

Values are stable and enduring beliefs about what is good, right, and

worthwhile, and about the behavior that is desirable for achieving what

is worthwhile. To be an effective manager, it is necessary to have a good

understanding of what your values are and to act accordingly.

to say they thought of you. Also think

of your broader contributions—how

would you like to be remembered in the

communities you are a part of? Make

notes, and use the information you

write down to identify the values that

are most important to you.

Dealing with conflicts

It can be challenging when your

personal values conflict with those

of your organization, or when there are

conflicting values between individuals or

subgroups. Value differences can exist,

for example, about how to perform jobs,

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