Angie has done very well in school--and she succeeded by working her way through college. Congratulations!!
Her goal is to move forward to earn advanced degrees in this field of study.
In honor of her achievement, I have prepared this article about personal values.
Values are those things that really matter to each of us ... the ideas and beliefs we hold as special. Many of us learned our values at home, at church or synagogue or at school.
Values are difficult to see in a person. People often have difficultly articulating their full set of values. When they do, values can seem a complex array of ideas--and usually come out disorganized in a person's thought process.
Often companies undertake an examination of their core values...and put them in words for employees, shareholders and customers to see. Here is an example of Perpetual's values as expressed collectively in this values box. Perpetual is an Australian-based investment services group.
Values are very personal--very serious--and often groups of people form cultural norms based on core values. Those norms can at times be rigid and harsh.
Much of my research into personal values also reveals a rather disorganized discipline. Often I see a long list of adjectives--and people can pick from them to create values sets that are most meaningful to them. I have not found these exercises to be particularly useful.
Attention to our values helps us in many ways:
- We become more self-aware,
- We make better ethical decisions,
- They help us prioritize our tasks,
- We can develop credibility, and
- We can be at greater peace with the world around us.
About 10 years ago I did come across a useful values survey instrument. This was provided to me by Cheryl Hall of Winning Words, a business consulting firm in California.
This personal report took those adjectives, analyzed them and then organized information into a measure of relative prominence of six basic interests or attitudes which become a way of valuing life. They are:
- Theoretical
- Utilitarian
- Aesthetic
- Social
- Individualistic
- Traditional
Knowledge of this helps to tell us why we do certain things.
On the other hand, behavioral assessments (see my Behavioral Style article on DISC from February, 2009) helps us understand how we behave and perform in our environment.
Of the six attributes, it is often the top two (or three) which will significantly move you into action. You will feel positive when talking, listening or doing activities that satisfy these top attributes.
Here is a summary of these attributes, in the order that apply to me.
Utilitarian. This is an interest in money and what is useful. This means that an individual wants to have the security that money brings not only for themselves, but for their present and future family.
This value includes the practical affairs of the business world--the production, marketing and consumption of goods, the use of credit and the accumulation of tangible wealth.
This type of individual is thoroughly practical and conforms to the stereotype of the average American business person.
Is it any wonder that I choose to produce most of my blog articles on macroeconomic topics?
Theoretical. The primary drive with this value is the discovery of truth. In pursuit of this value, an individual takes on a cognitive attitude.
Such a person is non-judgmental regarding the beauty or utility of objects and seeks only to observe and to reason.
Since the interests of the theoretical person are empirical, critical and rational, the person appears to be an intellectual.
The chief aim in life is to order and systematize knowledge--knowledge for the sake of knowledge.
My friends, Phil & Ed, have both observed and expressed this value trait about me. They are amazed at my broad diversity of interests, sometimes learning just for learning sake.
Individualistic. The primary interest of this value is power, not necessarily politics. Research studies indicate that leaders in most fields have a high power value.
Since competition and struggle play a large part in all areas of life, many philosophers have seen power as the most universal and most fundamental of motives.
There are, however, certain personalities in whom the desire for direct expression of this motive is uppermost--and who wish, above all, for personal power, influence and renown.
Social. Those who score very high in this value have an inherent love of people. The social person prizes other people and is, therefore, kind, sympathetic and unselfish.
They are likely to find the Theoretical, Utilitarian and Aesthetic attitudes cold and inhuman.
Compared to the Individualistic value, the Social person regards helping others as the only suitable form of human relationships. Research into this value indicates that in its purest form, the Social interest is selfless.
Traditional. The highest interest for this value may be called unity, order or tradition.
Individuals with high scores in this value seek a system of living. This system can be found in such things as religion, conservation or any authority that has defined rules, regulations and principles for living.
Aesthetic. A higher Aesthetic score indicates a relative interest in form and harmony.
Each experience is judged from the standpoint of grace, symmetry or fitness. Life may be regarded as a procession of events, and each is enjoyed for its own sake.
A high score does not necessarily mean that the individual has talents in creative artistry. It indicates a primary interest in the artistic episodes of life.
There are different strokes for different folks. When you are surrounded by people who share similar attitudes, you will readily fit into the group and be energized.
However, when surrounded by people whose attitudes are significantly different from yours, you may be perceived as being out of the mainstream. These differences can induce stress or conflict.
When confronted with this type of situation, you can:
- Change the situation,
- Change your perception of the situation,
- Leave the situation, or
- Cope with the situation.
No comments:
Post a Comment