What do you value?
Folks often come to us because they’re not happy in their current job (no surprises there!) And one common reason that they want to leave has nothing to do with their pay, or benefits, or work hours, or even their actual job duties.
It has to do with core values alignment. They aren’t happy, because they can’t get fully on board. As with a company’s core values, our personal core values encompass foundational beliefs and perspectives, and dictate the choices we make and how we behave in different situations.
You might not have even thought about what your personal core values are, and the ways that they show up in your job and your life. But even if you haven’t articulated your values, you can tell when there is a misalignment between your values and those of the company you work for. It might just be a gut-level reaction or a sense that things feel hard or “sticky” or that decisions aren’t sitting right. Whatever that reaction is, it’s worth paying attention to.
Any life or career transition is a good time to clarify your core values. Here are three self-reflections questions we ask our clients:
1. Without overthinking, what are the top 5 values you live your life by?
2. What have been the best experiences in your life? On the flip side, what have been the most painful or challenging experiences in your life? What do those moments reveal about your values?
3. Who are the 5 people you most admire? What is it about them you admire? What values do they embody?
When you’ve answered all three questions, revisit question one. Do your top 5 expressed values align with what you value in people and experiences?
Actually identifying and defining your core values requires some concentrated reflection time, but it’s time well spent. As a job seeker or career explorer, knowing your values can help you define your “guideposts”, screen potential companies, ask the right questions, and end up in an organization and position that is a fit with your skills, beliefs, morals, and how you want to move through the world.