Complete the “Mining for Values” Exercise
Are you ready for the final phase in “Mining for Values”?
Today’s exercise is a continuation from the previous two weeks, and is a core exercise I use with clients and groups to help leaders discover their core values. If you missed the previous steps, click on the links below to start from the beginning:
➡️ Mining for Core Values: Part 1
➡️ Mining for Core Values: Part 2
If you’ve followed along with my process over these past two weeks, then you should have a long list of values combined from the two different exercises we did. Grab your list, and we’re going to finish the process of discovering the core values that matter to you the most.
Developing Your Internal Compass: Your True Core Values
As a quick note to quell any anxiety that this process might bring up—you don’t have to abandon any of the value words on your big list. You can have them all and they can all be true!
But, as I mentioned at the beginning of this mini series, our goal here is ultimately to lead with intention. The core values we hold are an internal compass that guides us back on course when we start to stray from our goals or desired impact.
Imagine trying to use a list of 25 words as a compass to make important decisions. It’s too much! But a list of six words? Now that’s a finely-tuned compass.
So our goal is to narrow the list down to your core values—the ones that are true all the time, in any situation. Once you get down to a short list of four to six core values, they become a useful tool.
That means we have to do a lot of narrowing down, but don’t fret about crossing off values at this stage. They can all be true, but not all of them will be at your core.
Putting It Into Practice
Gather the values you identified in the first two phases of the “Mining for Values” exercise. You might have 15 to 50 words, so this can feel pretty daunting. But don’t worry, I’ve got a process for you!
What I love about values is that they are so very personal. No one can tell you your values are right or wrong. Only you can discover and define your core values.
STEP 1: Narrow Down
Take a moment to review the entire list of contenders for your core values list. Notice what jumps out at you. Feel into the energy of these values and notice if any feel a little bit “meh”. There’s your low-hanging fruit. Cross them off immediately. Continue this process, dropping any values that are on the bubble.
STEP 2: Eliminate
Once you’ve narrowed the list to 10 or 12 values, write them down on individual cards, post-its, or scraps of paper. You’ll have one value per card. Now, start removing one value at a time. Here’s the question you’ll be asking yourself at each cut: “If I absolutely had to drop one value from this list, what would it be?” Keep asking that question and moving the discarded values to the side until you get down to no more than six.
STEP 3: Apply
Write down your list of four to six core values and post them in a few spots where you’ll see them everyday. Check in with them as you navigate your life. Review them at work and at home, noticing how they feel…how they fit. After a week or so of living with your core values, do a gut-check and see if any changes are needed.
How do you know if you need to make changes?
One good way to determine your choice is to reflect on what happens when you’re not honoring a certain value.
For example, one of my core values is connection. I thrive on interaction with my most special humans. When I go too long without spending time with my closest friends and family, I feel something is “off”, even if I can’t name exactly what it is. I feel the friction of it when I’m not living in alignment with that value.
While I have many other values, they don’t affect me to that same degree. They are not a ‘core’ value like connection is.
Reflecting on how different values (or the absence thereof) affect your life and state of being will help you determine which values are core to your identity.
Once you’re finished, comment on this blog post and let me know how it went. Did the final list fit your expectations, or did you discover some new values you didn’t know you had? I always love doing these exercises with a group and getting to hear everyone’s values, and I would be delighted to hear from you too.