The importance of making decisions based on values This post is so valuable that we decided to translate it in order to share its content. (References below) The power of choice is one of the greatest gifts we are given. In fact, it is so important that the privilege of choice be removed from the inmates as a form of punishment. Although you make many decisions every hour of the day, you rarely make neutral decisions. Every choice has a positive or negative consequence at some level. Your decisions directly influence how you spend your valuable resources: time, money, and energy. How you spend your valuable resources is a direct reflection of your values. Benjamin Franklin addressed value-based decisions when he said: «We are at the crossroads, every minute, every hour, every day, making decisions. We choose the thoughts we allow ourselves to think, the passions we allow ourselves to feel, and the actions we allow ourselves to perform. Each choice is made in the context of whatever value system we have chosen to govern our lives. By selecting that value system, we are in a very real way, making the most important decision we will ever make. . . . ” A look at your calendar and your spending budget gives you an accurate view of what you value. Making decisions based on values is not an occasional thing; it’s a daily action. For example, you might say that your priorities as to how you spend your time may be first team members, second clients, and third senior management. With that courage to guide you, it is easier to say «yes» to spending time with your highest priority constituents and sometimes say «no» to requests from lower priority constituents. Saying «no» does not just mean saying it to other people. Inspiring coaches often say «no» to themselves. When we base our decisions on our values, we are willing to sacrifice ourselves today by saying «no» to something that might be fun or tempting, in order to get tomorrow’s rewards for realizing our vision of a team, project, task, coaching interaction, etc. Making decisions based on values eliminates much of the stress and pressure of making decisions «in the moment». When you keep your choices in the mirror of your values, the right choice quickly becomes obvious. Aligning decisions with your values also ensures clear thinking about the consequences of those decisions, good or bad. Select only a few core values, but live and lead by them without hesitation, especially when they are difficult to maintain. Unproven values are not maintained as deeply as proven values. The best way to test values is to apply them every day with every decision and interaction. Then, when faced with decisions, use your values to help you determine what to do. Making decisions based on values sends a strong message to your team about the character of your leadership. Article translated from https://chiefexecutive.net/making-values-based-decisions/ By Lee Colan and Julie Davis Colan – March 8, 2019 ]]>
Making decisions basen on values | Transform Action
