The Value of Values

 What do you value?

At the Toastmasters Convention in August, Cait Donovan spoke of the value of knowing your own values in her session on "Dismantling Burnout."  How does knowing your values help dismantle burnout?  One situation that might lead to burnout - exhaustion, cynicism, and low productivity - is a disconnect between a person's own values and the values of the company they work for or the team they work with.  If you are feeling burned out due to this disconnect and don't realize it is the cause, it will be very hard to fix.  You won't know if there is a disconnect unless you understand your own values as well as the values of your team and company.

When identifying your values, it is critical to be completely honest.  Don't worry about what others will think of your values or what society thinks you "should" value.  Consider what you value.

Once you know your own values, then you can compare them to the values of an organization or team.  If there is a notable disconnect between your values and "their" values, you might want to consider seeking out other opportunities in order to avoid burnout and experience the fulfillment that comes from being involved in something you value.

Considering your values extends beyond the work place to other organizations you are involved in and your personal life as well.  A disconnect in values can damage relationships if not noticed and addressed.  On the other hand, aligned values can lead to experiencing greater value.  In other words, you get value out of an organization when your values align.

As an example, one of the reasons I love Toastmasters is because the clubs I am in demonstrate that they value things that I also value.  Prior to the Toastmasters Convention in August, I attended a Toastmasters training session where I was challenged to come up with a statement of the value I have received from Toastmasters.  My value statement is:  “Toastmasters provides me a unique opportunity for fun, learning, and feedback with people I never would have otherwise met. Through Toastmasters, I have unlocked my leadership potential, empowering me to organize groups and events, teach and motivate others, and listen and respond with empathy.”  This value statement reflects not only the value I received from Toastmasters, but also how this aligns with things that I value - fun, learning, self-improvement, leadership, teaching, empathy.

Consider outlining your own personal values and seeing how they relate to the values of organizations or companies you are a part of as well as the value you are getting from those organizations, companies, and other experiences in your life.


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