Ep. 21: THE VALUE OF WORK | Steve James
Why are work values important?
Your professional objectives and level of personal satisfaction may be impacted by your workplace values. You can decide what aligns with your personal ideals by understanding your work values. Work values are important for several reasons:
What are work values?
Workplace values are the collection of values that guide your behavior and decision-making in the workplace, including priorities, ideals, beliefs, and morals. Your work values may have to do with how your work affects you and others, how you go about doing your work, or your personal goals. You can have both work values related to your own personal ethics and character and work values connected to your employer’s organizational goals.
Types of work values
There are various values pertaining to the workplace. The main categories of work values are:
Extrinsic
The conditions of your employment that you seek when looking for a job are known as extrinsic work values. These are the advantages of your contract with your employer. Extrinsic values address company culture, flexibility and compensation. Types of extrinsic work values are:
Intrinsic
When performing duties at your job, your intrinsic values are the qualities you value and seek out most. Theyre directly involved with your day-to-day behavior and choices. Examples of intrinsic values in the workplace include:
Lifestyle
It’s important to think about your specific lifestyle values in addition to your work values. They may influence your choices when you take into account the tasks required to meet specific lifestyle goals. Lifestyle values can be both intrinsic and extrinsic:
Examples of work values
Work values can relate to all facets of your job, including your conduct, that of your team, and the corporate guidelines of your employer. At work, these values may manifest in a variety of ways. Here are some illustrations of how each level of work values might appear:
Personal
When deciding on the type of work you want to do, your personal values serve as a strong guide. Your career may be impacted in a variety of ways by the following types of personal values:
Team
The team you are a part of can have collective values that embody your shared goals, just like you can have personal values that influence your work. Team values are typically intended to uphold a standard of productivity and professionalism. They shape the environment and culture of a workplace. Examples include:
Company
Your employer’s mission and the procedures it uses to achieve its objectives are a reflection of its corporate values. As important as living out your work values on a personal or team level can be, finding a company that shares your values can be. Examples of corporate values you can look for include:
How to discover the ideals you most value at work
Knowing your own work values is a great tool to use when looking for a job or beginning to establish values in your career. To evaluate your own values and determine which are most significant to you, follow these steps:
1. Brainstorm words describing your ideal job
Start by envisioning your ideal career and lifestyle. Determine your primary personal values by reflecting on what you want to achieve and how you want to spend your time. Write down the terms and traits that best describe this situation, paying particular attention to how each value relates to your career.
2. Write down what you liked about past jobs
Consider your previous employment and what you valued most about each position and employer. Recall what responsibilities gave you the best sense of satisfaction. Examine your priorities at work and identify any values that may have influenced your choices.
3. Ask others about your assets
Inquire of your coworkers what adjectives they would use to describe you and your method of working. People’s perceptions of you are probably influenced by your professional values. You can decide how your work values fit into a collaborative team environment by getting feedback from others.
4. Think about what you respect in others
Your values may be reflected in the qualities that you find admirable in others. You can determine the aspects of your career you want to concentrate on and develop by taking into account the qualities you aspire to. List the qualities in your coworkers or boss that you admire and want to possess.
5. Compile a list
Make a list of all the terms and phrases you can think of to describe each value. This helps you accumulate a set of principles and values on which to reflect. Determine which of the list’s items are most pertinent to your life and career by reading it again.
6. Rank each value
Consider giving each of the values on your list a rank or value. Your values can be ranked using a variety of techniques, such as ranking them as “Important in a Workplace,” “Nice to Have in a Workplace,” or “Not Important in a Workplace,” or comparing them in an ascending list. “.
7. Consider hypotheticals
Some people may have competing work values, making it difficult to determine which is more crucial. Consider what you would choose if you had to choose between two of your core professional values.
FAQ
What are your top 3 values at work?
- Being accountable.
- Making a difference.
- Focusing on detail.
- Delivering quality.
- Being honest.
- Keeping promises.
- Being reliable.
- Being positive.
What do you value most at work?
- A Strong Work Ethic.
- Dependability and Responsibility.
- Possessing a Positive Attitude.
- Adaptability.
- Honesty and Integrity.
- Self-Motivated.
- Motivated to Grow and Learn.
- Strong Self-Confidence.
What are some values for work?
Work values are the characteristics, tenets, and standards that are most important to you in your line of work. Knowing your work values can aid in career planning, job opportunities exploration, or career change.
