Little Johnny and the Candy Bar

Values define who we are. They guide how we live our lives every day and help define our personality. Because values are so “guiding”, it only makes sense that we incorporate them into how we lead others and ourselves.

As a leader, we are prompted to make numerous decisions, some easy and some hard. I think values are a huge part of leadership especially when we have to make tough decisions. We often look to our values as the guide to making the right decision. It is interesting, though, that every one of us has different values. What we think is “right” based on our values may be considered “wrong” to another person based on what he or she values.

Another way that I see values relating to leadership is that an authentic leader is one that lives out the same values he or she claims to have. It’s easy to say that I value relationships and friendship but if I am going behind my friends’ backs talking about them, do I really value relationships and friendship? Values are always a tricky subject because sometimes it is hard to stand for what you believe in.

I love the example of values and ethics in chapter three when the author provides an anecdote to illustrate the best way we understand values. It’s the story of little Johnny stealing the candy bar. We have all more than likely had an experience like that where there was a defining moment in our lives that taught us what we truly value. Values don’t just fall from the sky and we don’t just look at a page of adjectives and qualities and pick the ones that we want to value; values are meaningful and have a background story, just like the candy bar. 

I love how companies and organizations in today’s society are focused on value-based recruiting versus just recruiting on technical skills. This goes off of the idea presented in chapter three that we should align our own values with the worthy values of the organization. How can we work for a company when we don’t believe in the same values? It would be very difficult, to say the least.

My own personal values are faith, trust, and attitude. Faith is and will always be the foundation of my life. It is the way I stay true to myself and it guides all of my actions. It has made me who I am and I am truly thankful to have a strong faith-based heritage within my family. In relation to faith, I believe that trust is the foundation and most important aspect of every relationship. Whether it is marriage or friendship, a relationship can’t get too far without trust. I also believe that attitude is everything. A positive attitude throughout life can make each day better just by noticing all of the good in your life.