Explore the profound impact of values and principles on professional life. Learn how self-discovery and understanding your moral compass can enhance communication, ethical decision-making, and job satisfaction in the workplace.
We all have our own set of values & principles which act as guides for our thoughts and actions.
Though these internal mentors may not always be readily visible, they have deep impact on our professional lives.
This article discusses the nature of values & principles, explaining why they are such an important base in the workplace for both effective communication and sound principled decision making. We also shall look at some useful ways of working out our own set of personal values & principles in order to explore some of the benefits they carry when navigating complex workplace situations.
Defining the Compass:
Values are those very central personal views that one holds close to his heart & soul, the energetic assets that describe what is important to us. One can think of them as the “why” behind our actions, and on the other hand, principles refer to guiding rules that make beliefs actual.
Using an example from Stephen Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” We can say that the principles are like the deepest roots of a tree, permanent & unchangeable over the path of time, In the same light, values could be associated with the trunk & branches that continue to adjust through the experiences we gain & life situations we either put ourselves in or others put us through. For example, if one of your values is honesty, then the principle within that value may be to always tell the truth in communication, no matter how hard it may be.
Understanding of Moral Compass:
It may be a voyage of self-discovery to comprehend our own values & principles. Emotionally strong responses against certain situation sometimes serv as indicator for when something is in battle with our core values. For example, if we feel very strongly in contradiction of some practice at work and cannot quite define why, most likely the cause is that this particular practice is violating the personal values of ours. This recognition of those internal nudges is the first step in the way of becoming more aware of the self.
Plans for Self-Discovery:
The following acts as some pragmatic plans that can help us identify our personal values and principles:
- Self-reflection: Let’s take some time off to think about what we find most vital in life. What is it that we admire in others? what really triggers that would end a relationship? Journaling on these quests could be a very valued technique.
- Life experiences: Let’s Consider good and bad times. What experiences taught us right from wrong, and what choices have we made that made us feel very good about? Understanding these experiences can help us determine the values and principles underlying those feelings.
- Role models: Whom do we admire? What are the qualities those people have and we believe are important? Knowing our role models help us defining our moral values.
The Power of Clarity in the Workplace:
More clarity about our values and principles can be an enabling influence toward better effective communication at work, meaning we can stand up for what we believe with a sense of purpose and conviction behind the view, enhancing collaboration, and therefore trust between colleagues. The opposite is equally valid. we risk misunderstandings and/or frustration if we are not alert of this aspect. If we are not clear about our own moral compass, our communication becomes muddled so others miss the point of the “why”.
For example, let’s imagine our company needs to adopt new business practice which might appear to be unethical, by knowing what principle is to us, we will be able, with unshaken confidence to express our opinion about that specific practice and explain how it goes against our value of always acting ethically. This type of clear communication not only brings along the potential for more constructive discussion but also lead to better outcomes.
Beyond Communication
The advantages of a robust moral compass are much more than that of communication alone. Your values and principles can also help you in making ethical decisions where they are most needed. Knowing what you stand for further puts you in a better position to fight back against pressure to do something that might make you lose your integrity. Moreover, it helps in finding purpose and satisfaction in your work as a result of living in accordance with your core values.
Knowing our values and principles is time well invested in the pursuit of personal growth and professional development. Being more self-aware supports effective communication, ethical decision-making, and fulfillment at work. With a more defined moral compass, we can find purpose and direction across complexities of the work environment that much better, hence making for a more positive and productive workplace. Remember that having a strong moral compass isn’t a destination but a continuous process of self-discovery and personal growth. Embrace the journey and let your values and principles guide you toward a more meaningful and impactful career.
