What's Important to You is Important At Work

Oct 30, 2024

Values are the things that motivate us. They are a reflection of who we are, what is important to us and, in some cases, why we went into a field in the first place.

Of all the areas of work life, a mismatch in the area of values can create the most distress, resulting in that icky feeling that you just can’t shake, like something is off (perhaps that you are being taken advantage of, misled or trapped).

A mismatch in Values occurs when:

• your own values do not match those of your organization,
• the organization does not seem to be living out its stated values, or
• what is required of you at work disconnects you from your values

Perhaps you went into your field for a meaningful reason but you feel forced to work in ways that do not align with the purpose of your job (like when healthcare workers are strictly limited in how long they can spend with each patient).

Perhaps the primary responsibilities of your job ARE aligned to your values but other tasks (often administrative or workarounds) take up so much time that you don't get to do them enough.

"I went into this work because I wanted to help people but, more often than not, nothing I do feels helpful."

When that feeling of discontent occurs repeatedly, the area of Values is a good one to investigate.

When we experience a mismatch in values, all three of the dimensions of burnout - cynicism, a sense of not being effective, and exhaustion - can be triggered.

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Something to Try

Having worked with hundreds of people to help them thrive at work, I have collected great ideas from real people about how to get more of what they need from work. 

No idea is right for everyone but when that icky feeling sets in, it is important to look for what is possible and, more importantly, what is in your control.

When looking for possibilities, 
start any idea with “I could”, “ I can”, or “I’m willing to”. 
This can help connect you to what is in your control.

Here are 15 IDEAS FROM REAL PEOPLE if you want Values to be more of what you need or expect. If they’re not for you, hopefully they can get you thinking about what is.

• I could be clear about which values are most important to me and the behaviors that demonstrate them.
• I could speak up when values are not lived out.
• I could be (or learn to be) more clear about what I am capable of and willing to accept.
• I'm willing to ask my team members about their values.
• I can practice (or learn to practice) saying what I mean.
• I could move on from a role, or even an organization, when my values don’t match.
• I can communicate when there’s something that is a gray area or crosses a line.
• I will do a values check-in with myself.
• I can commit time to doing a values exercises with my team.
• I'm willing to be clear about my expectations.
• I'm willing to be honest about my shortcomings.
• I can be mindful of respecting and honoring the values of others, extending grace to those whose values are different from mine.
• I will volunteer for something that aligns with my values.
• I can voice my concerns when the values exhibited by leaders don’t align with the organization’s values.
• I could ask others to help hold me accountable when I behave in a way out of line with our values, and agree to do the same for them.

A mismatch in values can feel permanent and unchangeable and, if we’re being honest, sometimes it is. But you’ll never know until you take an honest look, and maybe even have some honest conversations.

As tempting as it is to want to protect ourselves from the truth of a mismatch, talking about values openly can often help bring awareness to them. 

Sometimes change is possible. But when change is not possible, a values mismatch often results in needing to look for another, better match.

_{Reference: "The Burnout Challenge" by Christinia Maslach and Michael P. Leiter}