COVID has led many of us to reflect on what’s important as we emerge into life post-pandemic. The landscape will be different, with changes for many in where they work and for some, what they do. What do you want from your working life going forward? Taking stock of what’s important by exploring your values can help you decide what changes may be desirable.
Forced into making the best of what we were able to do during Lockdown-spending more time in our homes and gardens while unable to go on holiday; enjoying walks and being outdoors; spending time with our families; self-improvement for the virtuous. It’s also been truly difficult for many; isolation for some; enforced home-schooling and juggling work and virtual meetings for others. Many will have missed the camaraderie of colleagues in an office and perhaps appreciated the IT connectivity has not not been as good home as it is in the office. Some won’t have had the luxury of a decent work space. Wellbeing has been an issue for many.
Exploring what we really, really want is therefore timely. If COVID has taught us anything, it’s that life is precious. Our values act as our inner compass. When we are comfortable in ourselves we experience inner contentment. When our values are compromised or challenged we can become at best irritable and at worst angry or deeply unhappy.
Values are helpful in shaping what we choose to do for a living as well as how we live our lives. If you’re contemplating a change to your current role or applying for new or different jobs, whether through choice or necessity, reflecting on your values is time well spent. It will provide you with a lens through which to consider job roles and organisations.
Values activity
Take a look at the values list below. Select a maximum of 10 values- those that are most important to you. If you’re not clear how you feel about a value, ask yourself ‘if I was to be denied this value, how strongly would I feel?’ For example, if you can’t bear to be micro-managed, then Autonomy will be important to you. The stronger your reaction, the more importance you are likely to attach to it. Next, prioritise your 10 values with the most important at the top.
Sample values list
| Accountability | Achievement | Autonomy | Work-life balance | Reliability |
| Caring | Commitment | Communication | Contribution | Security |
| Co-operation | Competitiveness | Courage | Responsibility | Trust |
| Customer care | Diligence | Empathy | Flexibility | Influence |
| Empowerment | Encouragement | Equality | Independence | Success |
| Expertise | Fairness | Friendliness | Personal Growth | Reward |
| Stability | Honesty | Appreciation | Power | Recognition |
| Security | Trust | Challenge | Challenge | Service |
| Integrity | Innovation | Loyalty | Respect | Adventure |
| Mental challenge | Participation | Creativity | Professionalism |
Ask yourself: ‘How many of my top 10 values are being met?’ If all 10 are being met- congratulations- our work here is done!
Where there are important gaps ask yourself:
‘What can I change about my current role that would enable me to improve the score?’ For example if work/life balance is important but not being fulfilled, could you request a reduction to your working hours or a change to your pattern of working? If you’ve been working from home during the pandemic, could you continue to do so for some or all of the time?
If your contribution is not receiving Recognition, are you able to demonstrate to your employer the positive impact you’ve had during the pandemic? If intrinsic recognition is important -i.e. your manager thanking you and/or publicly recognising your contribution- that may be enough. However if Reward is important (extrinsic recognition) then you may want to consider how best to approach a salary review/bonus conversation at your next meeting/appraisal.
Reviewing your current situation
If you find that very few of your values are being met- and that even with adjustments to your current job you’re unlikely to increase your score, perhaps it’s time to review where you are and consider applying for other jobs more likely to fulfil your values.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Will changing roles within my organisation be likely to fulfil my values? (i.e. your employer is fine but either the role or your line manager aren’t so good)
- Will doing the same job in a different organisation deliver on my values?
- If you responded ‘no’ to questions 1 and 2- do you need to consider a different role and organisation?
If you decide to explore alternative job roles, you now have a list of key values as a starting point. You can undertake research into employers to find out what kind of organisation they are- or at least claim to be. Many will have values embedded into their company webpages/marketing information. Do the company’s values resonate with yours?
Do you know anyone who works for the company you’re interested in? If not, sometimes websites such as Glassdoor can provide a useful insight as reviews are provided by former employees.
When you’re asked at then end of an interview whether you have any questions, you could ask the interviewer(s) ‘What do you enjoy most about working for x company?’ Clues in the responses you get may provide some useful insights.
The minute you choose to do what you really want to do, it’s a different kind of life.
Buckminster Fuller
Author: Anne Wilson
