“A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.” Dwight D. Eisenhower
“The aim of education is the knowledge, not of facts, but of values.” William S. Burroughs
Values Clarification-
Foundations for Significant Leadership
The Values you are true to, will ultimately determine your value and destiny. If you are true to your values, they will indeed be true to you. And people will value you based on the values you live. You will be trusted if you are trustworthy. If you are wise with your money, your money will work for you instead of you working for your money. If you are kind to others, others will be kind to you. The Values you live are like an echo. You always get back what you live out.
As a leader you create a firm foundation to build a life of significance upon when you know and live according to clearly defined and life giving values that guide your every thought, word and action. Everyone lives according to some set of values. Many times people don’t chose those values or they change their values depending on lives circumstances. Others live by values that actually bring pain and destruction- think terrorists, drug dealers, con-artists, etc. The key is to develop positive life giving values that align with your beliefs and that are mutually beneficial to yourself and others.
Once you know and establish the values you are going to live by, you will gain strength and willpower to live the life you want to live. Instead of constantly reacting to ever changing feelings and circumstances you will be led by clearly defined, principle centered values that will not move regardless of your circumstances.
“When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” Roy E. Disney
Use your list of beliefs and the following list of questions to help you determine your core values.
98.) Write down your answers to each of the following questions-
(This is the first step in developing clarification on your highest held Values and will help give birth to your own personal Values Declaration. Your own personal constitution to guide you.)
a. What are you passionate about? Why?
b. What makes you sad? Why?
c. What are your “mantras”? Why?
d. What do you stand for? Why?
e. What are you absolutely committed to? Why?
f. What do you value most in life? What matters most? Why?
g. What do you want to be known for? Why? What are you known for?
h. What are you trying to create? Why?
i. How do you want to impact the life of others? Why?
j. What attributes are you committed to? (Excellence, Serving, Leading, Encouraging, etc.)
k. What legacy do you want to leave? Why?
l. Add any additional thoughts you have regarding what you value in each of the following areas- Personally, Relationally, Vocationally, Financially, Mentally/Emotionally, Spiritually, Physically, Community, Contribution,
Time use, Continuous Improvement, etc.
“All life demands struggle. Those who have everything given to them become lazy, selfish, and insensitive to the real values of life. The very striving and hard work that we so constantly try to avoid is the major building block in the person we are today.” Pope Paul VI
