I recently sent out a tweet that said, "Stress & burnout comes from living out of alignment w/our values. When not in tune with our inner core we experience distress. #BringValue." As it posted to Facebook one of my friends asked me to explain. I realized a simple Facebook post explanation was not adequate so here is the thought dug up a little deeper...
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If you were to look at any list of great leaders of the century, and you would find these five people at the top of the list:
At first glance you would realize these people had less in common than what they shared. They were from United States, Germany, Africa, and India. They had obvious differences in
religious viewpoints from Catholic, to Protestant, to Hindu. They had very different economic and educational backgrounds. Yet each of them started movements that still exist today.
The one thing that they had in common was a commitment to a cause. That is the one thing that is marked by our young generation, they are individuals that live selflessly for a cause yet selfishly without a cause attachment. Without a WHY we will not be able to make it through the battery of testing out of our commitment. The cause is the why. The why is what keeps a person going and keeps them motivated. As the old adage goes, "When the going get's tough, the tough get going." In this sense the tough that get's going is those who have sweat and teared over their cause.
Value based leadership is what brings a qualitative standard to living out our life. Think about the vision a person may have personally or for their organization. Goals and vision must have a deeper WHY or they will not be sustainable. If an individual or organization meets their goal or vision but did not grow emotionally, mentally, spiritually, etc. then they undermine their ability to continually reach their goals. There has to be a bigger engine that drives them to reach higher and deeper continually.
Here are three thoughts to consider:
1. Values gives people a CAUSE to live for instead of just something to do.
People are looking for something bigger than themselves. Ever since 9/11 college enrollment in the service industry has exploded because people have found worth in serving and helping. People want to be a part of something that is making a difference.
2. Values give people PRINCIPLES to apply instead of just rules to enforce.
I was never a fan and still am not a fan of giving rules, nor following them. As they say, rules are made to be broken. I always give expectations. Expectations are made to live up to. I can only meet a rule, that is compliance, however I can exceed an expectation, that is stewardship. Again there is transferable value there.
3. Values also produce LEADERS with RELATIONAL AUTHORITY and not just positional authority.
We all know someone with positional power that gets what they demand because they are the 'boss'. Their 'titled' authority gives them control over situations and people. As Cinderella is playing in the background for my daughter, Lady Tremaine and the King both operate in their positional authority. Think about the unofficial leader in your organization or life that everyone seeks out, listens to, and follows because of their relational authority.
If we are not in tune with our inner core, our values, then it is like listening to the static on the radio. It is tough to make sense of reality. We will get burnout and stressed beyond balance and have a tough time coping and staying balanced in life.
Coaching Moment:
How will you DISCOVER your value?
How will you ADD that value to what you do?
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