I recently asked a new client how she felt she was working and leading in alignment with her values. She paused and admitted, “Debbie, I don’t even know if I can articulate my values at the moment.”
Her honesty was a powerful starting point. We often assume we know our values, but when asked to define them, we struggle. Before I share a simple way to explore your values, let’s talk about why it matters and how it can transform your leadership.
Why Your Values Matter
Your values are more than just words on a list; they are the core of what truly matters to you. Yet, many leaders operate on autopilot rather than making intentional choices that reflect their values. Research shows that leading in alignment with your own principles has significant benefits:
- Leaders who align their work with their values experience less burnout and greater resilience when facing challenges (Gordon & Yukl, 2004).
- Values-driven leaders make more ethical decisions (Treviño, 1986).
- Leaders who live in congruence with their standards foster stronger relationships with their teams, building trust and engagement (Avolio & Gardner, 2005).
Many senior leaders I work with feel constantly “on,” unable to pause and reflect. This lack of alignment affects not only their well-being but also their teams and organizations. The good news? Reconnecting with your values doesn’t require a lot of time—just intention.
A Simple Framework to Reconnect with Your Values
Step 1: Identify Your Values
If you already have a short list of values, great. If not, take a moment to reflect or use an online assessment. The key is to identify what is genuinely important to you, not what you think you should value.
Step 2: Reflect
Estimate the percentage of time you are living in alignment with your standards each week. Be honest with yourself—this reflection is for your own growth.
Step 3: Choose
If there is room for improvement, pick one principle to focus on first.
Step 4: Experiment
Look at your calendar and find two opportunities each week to intentionally lean into. It could be during a team meeting, a strategy session, or even a one-on-one conversation.
Step 5: Reflect Again
At the end of the week, check in with yourself. How did it feel to “dial up”? What impact did it have on your decisions, energy, or interactions with others?
The Power of Small Shifts
Aligning your work doesn’t require a massive overhaul—it’s about finding the moments that matter most. Over time, these intentional choices create a greater sense of fulfillment and authenticity in your leadership.
So, I ask you: What value will you choose to lean into this week? You’re worth it.
Elevate your Leadership Potential
To learn more about leadership and executive coaching, reach out to Debbie for a consultation.