Core Values
Values are a concept that plays an active role in decision-making, prioritizing, and guiding our behavior. While in everyday conversation it's used to mean things we value or guiding principles, it actually possesses a deeper meaning.
We can think of values as the foundation of a person. Some may be built upon biologically inherited predispositions, but for most, they begin to shape during childhood through environmental factors. Knowing one’s own values and using them at the right times ensures greater resilience and makes it much easier to distinguish between needs and values.
Identifying Values
The biggest challenge in identifying values is the individual's own self and their current state of consciousness/fatigue. It's not easy to completely eliminate these influences, as many articles and studies emphasize.
However, models examining decision-making processes, particularly pairwise comparison (matching) methods, allow for more consistent and balanced results in such situations.
Approaches that form the theoretical basis of this include paired comparison models, cognitive decision-making theories, and research on value change/intervention.
In short, the human mind doesn't evaluate options directly; it understands them by comparing them. Therefore, I prefer the comparative method when identifying values.
Now let’s move on to the stage of identifying values. For this, I have a list of 142 values. 10 values are selected from this list. Then these values are compared. In each comparison, an answer is wanted to the question "Which one is more important?"
After the comparisons are complete, the top 5 values with the most votes are moved to a separate list and compared again. As a result, you end up with a list of your own values.
You can also perform this evaluation over Core Value Survey. If you agree to share the survey results anonymously with me, you will be contributing to my planned Core Values Inventory study. For those who want to apply it individually without taking the survey, I am sharing the values list at [[values.md]].
Getting to Know the Core Values
You now have a list of what you call your values from the survey or another method. So, what do you need to do with this list? Let's take a look at them a bit.
Firstly, your values list belongs to you, and the meaning of these values may be different for you than it is for me. While there might be universal definitions for some values, that definition can be different for you – and that’s perfectly normal.
To get acquainted with your values, ask yourself the following questions for each value and answer them honestly:
- What does X mean to me?
- What does it mean to live/defend the X value?
- What are the obstacles preventing me from living or upholding the X value?
You’ve answered these questions for each of your values, and now we're moving on to general questions. You need to answer these questions using your values and with broader reflection.
- What is the importance and meaning of the values I have chosen for myself?
- How do I feel and behave when I cannot live or provide these values in my life?
- Which values am I experiencing when I am very happy or very satisfied?
In fact, while getting acquainted with your values, you also have an opportunity to get to know yourself indirectly. Therefore, I think this step is important and necessary.
Observations
As a manager or mentor, I always conduct a values exercise with the people I support. During these exercises, I’ve made many different observations.
One observation I've consistently had is that before even starting the work, most individuals don’t value the concept of values and find it meaningless. Individuals are both unwilling to have their personal space entered and believe that the results will not mean anything.
The common point among those who think this is a fear of wrongly defining the concept of values and a worry that environmental factors are required for values to emerge in the work's outcome.
Another observation during the process is that individuals often select values they don’t currently have but somehow desire to have when initially choosing their values. Participants shared that the reason for this selection is a need or deficiency.
My final observation is that I have been able to achieve the results I aimed for with the work.
The purpose of this exercise is to create small movements in the individual's brain. To ensure they use their own brains instead of autopilot when making decisions or choices. It also enables a review of one’s relationship with oneself.
Therefore, I say that values exercises are an awareness exercise everyone should do.
Conclusions
As a result of my observations, I have two conclusions. I want to explain these in detail and I'm curious about your thoughts as well.
1. Environment Pressure
This conclusion shows me that individuals are actually being molded into a certain pattern by their environment. For example, when we worked with a friend three times at three-month intervals, we observed together that the results of two of these were related to his situation. When we delved deeper, we arrived exactly at the point I had observed.
The values that are transmitted to us without our awareness in the environments we live in, work in, or spend time in may be certain values. We need to be aware of these and know that they are actually the values of society or our neighborhood.
It’s not about ignoring these values but being aware of their existence and managing them consciously. When we can distinguish between environment values and our own core values, we can make much more authentic decisions.
2. Need Masking
In my work, I've observed that the desire for a value one doesn’t have is actually related to a need. A clear example of this came when working with a teammate.
I conducted two values exercises with a colleague three months apart. In the first exercise, health was not listed as a value. However, in the second exercise, health and family were directly at the top of the list. When we compared the results together, he said that both he and his mother had health problems.
According to my conclusion, if there is a value we want to be fulfilled or whose lack we feel, we may find it in our list at the end of the work as a need mask.
Therefore, when interpreting values, it’s necessary to consider environmental conditions and temporary effects. I believe that by cleaning out our lists of needs, we can reach our core values.
Closing Remark
Values are concepts that influence our decision-making and choices. Being aware of them and using them correctly will support us in making a difference in life.
Accepting that values can change over time is a natural part of growth. According to my hypothesis, if an individual’s values transform at least once over time, this indicates that their ability to adapt to life and communicate remains alive.
I would like to thank the SRL Danışmanlık team for contributing to the shaping of this writing, my colleagues who participated in my work, and all my student friends.
If you also want to contribute, you can fill out the Core Value Survey, participate anonymously in the Value Inventory, or support more people getting to know their own values by sharing this writing.