The importance of your work values
I often get my coaching clients to do an exercise to discover their life values. Whether you are a lover of adventure, believe in friendship above everything else, or think integrity is the most important thing in life, you have identified at least some of the values that guide your life like a compass (whether you make time for those values is a whole different story).
But have you ever focused on your work values?
We often don't even know they exist or that can be different from our life values: working independently vs. as part of a team; commuting vs. working from home; a working environment with access to nature and natural light vs. a sealed air-conditioned block; travelling regularly vs. being office based; a workplace which shares your same values vs. a job that pays the bills; structure vs. agility; and so on.
And while we might consider one or two of these work values while looking for a job, very rarely do we have a whole wish list of non-negotiables that we need to have in a new position.
So whether you are looking for a new job or staying where you are, I'd invite you to compile a list of work values that are key to working at your best. By contrast, think about what you absolutely hated in previous jobs or even in the position you are now.
Why is that? What fundamental work values have been negated?
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