Do your Values Change Over Time?

As previously mentioned, we have assessments that help you understand what your values are.  Remember that values are the reasons why you do the thing you do.

For example, some people may grow roses to sell them whereas other people grow them for the beautification of their garden.  Two different values - utilitarian (money) and aesthetics (beauty).

Sometimes a client will ask - ‘Can will my values change over time?’

My answer to this is:  NO.

To be honest, I still have a hard time believing this answer.

But my own data proved me wrong.  Here is some background into my story.

Over the last ten years, I have taken this Values assessment a total of five times.  I do it about every other year (secretly hoping that it would change.)  During these past ten years, I have had three kids, worked in four different jobs, moved two times, had a parent die, completed an executive MBA, and oh yeah - had cancer.

So, I figured that there would be some sort of change in my values.  Personally, I thought that my values would shift more to a ‘family’ basis given all of the turmoil that I have been through in the last ten years.  It did not happen.  There was no statistically significant difference in the results.

Now, I guess one could say that the assessment is somehow flawed.  It does not actually measure what it should measure.  Well, considering that the results that I have received are dead nuts on and have been for the last ten years.  I can’t really say that is the case.

In addition, I have had many close people to me validate the results.  They say - Yes that is you.

I am certain that every rule has its exception.  But I am not that exception.

You need to understand what your values (and what your employee’s values) are so that you can put the right plans in place to develop yourself and develop them.  Knowing their values will give you some hints on how to motivate these people.

Interested in a Value’s Assessment?  Drop me an email at michael (at) informedleaders (dot) com