What has Values got to do with Performance and Effectiveness?

 
If Leadership is not working, it is because the ​foundation of Values in the organization aren't strong. If Parenting is not working, it is because the foundation of Values in the family aren't strong. Values not just as a concept or something to talk about but as a way of life. How so?

Before taking that on, lets first attempt to answer what is the meaning of Values. Oxford Dictionary describes Values (in the context of what we are discussing) as - Principles or standards of behaviour; one's judgement of what is important in life. 

Our actions and communication with others determine the results we create. Reactive actions and reactive communication result in ineffective outcomes or outcomes not aligned to 100% of our intentions. Values are our promise to the Universe and to ourselves of who we are committed to Being. Having Values give us an access to step back and respond powerfully; instead of reacting blindly. For example, my Values are Love, Gratitude, Reverence. Why did I choose them to be my values? I chose them because they connect with me, they inspire me. Therefore, it is my promise to be, act, speak, think from there; irrespective of the chaos inside or outside. They become my Rock of Gibraltar; which I can hold on to in the crashing, forever changing waves of the ocean called Life. Then, life becomes easy because there's one part of life which is unchangeable. Everything may change in the world around me, but my values are constant and help to soothe & still the crashing, forever changing thought waves in my mind. In that stillness; creativity, innovation, performance, productivity and effectiveness bursts forth.

Value-based Leadership and Value-based Parenting is what will give you sustainable, joyous, deeply fulfilling results. Never believe what someone else asserts because wisdom can only be accessed through direct experience. No amount of teaching, coaching, reading, learning, training will ever lead you to wisdom. The only thing that will is your jumping into the court and playing. Inviting you to play and experiment to find out your truth for yourself. Here's how you play:

1. Make a Choice of your Core Values - Ask yourself: What am I committed to being? Being what inspires me? The answer to these questions will give you an access to your core Values. Remember, values would have the energy of giving and not the energy of receiving. Therefore, success is not a value but an outcome you want to receive. Being Happy & Fulfilled can be a value, if you mean that you will make the choice to be positive, happy & fulfilled irrespective of anything and anybody, without making other people or situations wrong; because then it has the energy of giving.

2. Make a Commitment - Promise yourself to be your Values, irrespective of the situation or people. Make a commitment by saying aloud to yourself and keep reminding yourself of who you are - 
I am ____<your values>_____ .
Fill in your values in the blank above.

3. Play The Game - Its a tough game but here's my promise - Play the game to be your values, moment by moment; and you will find your performance, productivity & effectiveness enhanced exponentially. If it doesn't, write to me at [email protected] and I will respond to tell you what you may have missed. 

We talk about brand values, organizational values and have them be plastered all over the walls in our swanky offices. It makes zero difference because we, as leaders at the helm of our organizations, have to live and die by those values first. Not to show our employees but to feel them deep inside in the most authentic part of ourselves. Leadership is about doing, being 10 times what we expect others to do and be. So, we have to live our values with 10 times the intensity for it to percolate in our organizations and families. That is the only way it works. If I say - I am living all these values - and don't have anyone outside of myself to show me the mirror; then it's only a tall claim and may need to be verified.

Wishing you a joyous, deeply fulfilling journey to lead your organization from good to great.

Love,
Jyoti.