Hearing “Core Values” at business meeting turns my stomach. Unless the company has them plastered up on the wall and trains every new recruit in them, they shouldn’t be tossing around the term. It’s the worst square on a buzzword bingo card.
Mars, Inc. has its core values on its website. AND all over everything. I worked there over 10 years ago and I still remember them. Click on the image to get more info on the 5 Principles.
Personally, though, a “core value” review might help us to live a better life. My friend Brian Rendel has a post on LinkedIn where he talks about training crisis line staffers to identify then talk about a person’s core values. Brian says when we’re aware of our personal core values and we live by them, we uncover our best self.
“…we find the energy and the resources to reach our potential. When we pay too little attention to our values, our energy fades, our life darkens, and we lose our way. Re-connecting to our values can ignite us with motivation to head for our dreams, and give us the energy to make it happen. “
Brian’s article is a short one. I’ve added a link below to it, as well as a link to a site I found that helps you assess your own core values. I’m hoping to come up with 3 solid ones for myself in the next few weeks. I’ll work with them for the upcoming months, maybe all 2016. We can rotate core values, as life changes and concentration is needed in different areas. Your general world view will probably stay the same. Others online have a similar yearly review practice called “3 words” – you choose 3 terms that will define your work or personal life for the year. You change them (probably) each January 1. I’m a little late but better late than never! I’ll update you on my core values once I decide what they are this year.
Please share your thoughts in the comments. Do you have core values or a “3 word” practice?
LINKS
Brian Rendell’s discussion on core values