Over the next few weeks I plan to get back to the Strength Zone basics and define the components of our individual Strength Zones. This week, I will start with Values.

Definition of Values

Let's start with the Random House Webster's Dictionary definition of values:

"The abstract concept of what is right or worthwhile. To consider with respect to worth or importance."

This definition, although articulate, seems rather nebulous. Now consider how Arthur Burk defines values:

"A value is an abstract concept that is embraced at the expense of personal comfort."

This definition suggests that to live in harmony with their values, people are willing to sacrifice their personal comfort. If this is true, these people may even be willing to do things that others do not agree with, so they can stay aligned with their values. But does this definition also suggest that differing values between people, organizations and ethnic groups may actually cause conflict? Is this some great new discovery?

Of course not. As members of the human race, we have recognized for thousands of years that differing values can and do cause conflict. However, if we respect each other properly, differing values don't have to cause conflict. I would like to propose the following definition of values:

"A value is an abstract concept that a person is willing to embrace at the expense of personal comfort."

Most people will sacrifice their personal comfort for their most important values and it happens often but if we, as a society, are more aware and respectful of others and their values we can reduce the rate and severity of values-based conflict. So why don't we spend more time trying to understand each other's values? Why don't we try to ensure that our values are aligned with our organization's values? And if alignment is not possible, why don't we at least try to understand why people react the way they do? Why don't we build a plan to deal with these differences?

These are interesting questions that each of us really need to give some deep thought. If we could spend some time listening to those around us and understanding their values and building a relationship with them that is based on mutual respect of the differing value systems there would be a lot less conflict in our world.

September 11th, 2001 I was sitting in a bid review meeting in Houston, Texas (about 3500 miles from my home in Calgary, Alberta) when the news of the World Trade center was delivered like a ton of bricks to me via a cell phone call from my wife. This event stirred up many emotions from every person all around the world. The people in the meeting reacted with shock and disbelief and most were driven by their basic, most important values which were security of self and family. Due to this commitment, many people left what they were doing and returned home to be with their families. Outside our meeting, many people across North America were driven by their faith/religious values and spent time praying for the victims and their families. Others were driven by the values of loyalty and commitment to their country and left their homes and relatives and headed for New York to do what they could to help out. Still others (New York fire and police departments) were driven by their value of courage and stepped into harms way to help others in need at the site of the tragedy itself.

Everyone has differing concepts of what they are willing to embrace at the expense of personal comfort. This difference in values is one of the things that makes us, as people, different from each other. It is also important to note that individuals in society must have different values in order for our society to function properly. Can you imagine what would have happened after the events of 9/11 if everyone in the US would have went home to be with their families and not one person went to the site of the tragedy to provide support and assistance? Or if everyone went to the site and no one went home to be with the children and other family members that needed support and comforting?

Values between individuals can be and should be different. However, it is up to us to ensure that these differences in values are viewed positively as well as used positively. Do not fall into the trap of values based conflict.