Living into Our Values – Dare To Lead
I’ve been spending time with the concept of conscious leadership. I’ve recently revisited Brene Brown’s Dare To Lead book. She defines a leader as anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes and has the courage to develop that potential. To do this one needs to be aware, present and committed. In other words, conscious. I’ll be unpacking Brene’s concepts in this series. Today, we’ll talk about living into our values.
Overview:
Brene outlines daring (conscious) leadership as a collection of four skill sets that are 100% teachable, observable, and measurable. She begins with the foundational skill set. The foundational skill set of courage-building is “rumbling with vulnerability.”. The other three skill sets: Living into Our Values, Braving Trust, and Learning to Rise.
Let’s take a look at Values:
First, values are the deepest level of our personal programming. They are what is most important to us. Secondly, values are used to determine how we spend time and evaluate the time we spend. Most importantly, we aren’t fully aware of our values. Talking with your trusted advisor(s), mentor or coach can be a helpful next step to uncover what your values truly are for your career or life. The Oxford Dictionary defines values as principles or standards of behavior. One’s judgment of what’s important in life. Brene Brown defines it as a way of being or believing that we hold most important. Clarity of values is an essential support tool. They are a beacon on the horizon and a key asset in times of darkness or ambiguity.
In order to “Walk our Talk”, we need to do the upfront work. Contemplation to set the intention, words, thoughts, and behaviors that align with what we hold more important to us.
We can’t live our values if we can’t name them and create that clarity
Per the book, Dare To Lead, we only have one set of values regardless of the situation or area of life. List of Common values that can be found in the book. Pick (2) that are most important, these are your core values. Ask yourself: does this define me? Is this who I am at my best? Is this a filter I use to make hard decisions?
Take values from B.S. to Behavior
If you don’t take the time, as a leader to define the behaviors (what is and is not representational of the value) it’s better to NOT define or discuss values at all. They become a joke in the organization. Therefore, operationalize your values! How do you know you are demonstrating the value? How do you know when you are not? There is a PDF on www.brenebrown.com that can assist you further.
Practice empathy and self-compassion
If we can’t cheer ourselves on we can’t expect others to do it. If we don’t make our values priorities we can’t ask others to do it for us. Who is someone that knows your values and supports your efforts to live into them? It’s quite possible it’s someone from your square squad. Outline what support looks like from this person. List a few acts of self-compassion that you can do to support yourself in the hard work of living into your values. What are the early warning indicators or signs that you are living outside of your values? Truly tap into what it feels like when you are living into your values. How does living into your values shape how you give and receive feedback?
I dare you to lead! We only have a finite amount of time on this planet, and you can choose how to spend that time. Do you want to flounder in ambiguity or step into the clarity of your values? Anoush Shafique, Director of the London School of Economics shares “In the past jobs were about muscles, now they are about brains, but in the future, they will be about the heart.”
Are you ready?: Press HERE for Success
In summary, I wish you much success in your career quest. Yours in balance, learning, growth, and harmony. – Melissa DeLuca, CEO
