Google searches for values aren’t impressive
We don’t get our values from a Google search for values. A seemingly endless supply of random and unstructured words that make us suspicious that those aren’t really values. In a mere .64 of a second, a Google search just produced 2.6 billion values sites and collections of words. It leaves me wondering, “what does that even mean?” How are those words supposed to provide me with insight into my life – my future – and my key relationships?
In some workplaces, identifying values is the result of a google search activity. Then we are asked to make lists, place stickies the wall, and then put a check mark on our favourites. The approach we use at the Values Hub could not be further from the google-search approach.
We are being a little playful…
Google Search for Values – Pros
- Google search conveniently provides speedy results. Hundreds of thousands (millions!) of results in mere milliseconds.
- With Google search there are thousands of values-sounding words from which to choose.
- Unstructured – values selections can be based on identifying several “favourites.” Like the “cream always rises to the top.”
- Our Core Values – posted on the wall! Task completed. Next task…
Google Search for Values – Cons
- Results are responding to a “search” and not related to you as a person nor your workplace team.
- The values identified are void of context, preventing deep understanding of you nor your workplace.
- Impersonal and unaffected by the circumstances you nor your colleagues are facing right now.
- Random lists lack reliability, form, and clarity around, the exercise of identifying “values”.
Our Method
- Neither Simple nor Trivial – we support you as you with care and effort as you identify your values.
- Reliable and Rich in Meaning – the methodology we use is based on theories of human development.
- A Manageable Collection – 125 values that are rich with meaning and insight.
- A Structured Approach – values based on individual/team data collected.
- Diverse Applications – imagine all the scenarios in which you or your team want to gain insight into values.
Neither Simple nor Trivial
We aren’t big on speedy solutions to important activities. Performing a google search for hotel reservations, recipes, and gift ideas – sure. Something that influences individual or team identity and performance – values – we look to the methodology we trust. Developed by Brian Hall and Bennie Tonna – the methodology we use is tried, tested, and reliable. Hall Tonna is used in many countries and cultures around the world. It takes time to respond to 125 questions on the HT online survey, and then engaging a values facilitator in conversation – investing time and effort – will pay off in the long run. The results are reliable and useful for everything from individual insight, to strategic planning for organizations, and developing timely client-facing communication.
Reliable and Rich in Meaning
Anyone who is a part of Canada, would look at the leaf on the right and find a rich collection of memory and meaning. The maple leaf, flies from flag poles in front of schools, is the subject of songs in Canada, and causes people to stand in quiet remembrance.
Just as the maple leaf connotes meaning, so the will values you identify. With the investment of time and effort, emerge a collection of useful values.
Whether an individual completing a values inventory online, or a group activity designed by our team, values that emerge possess a deep meaning and accurately inform personal and client-facing values expression.
Structured Values Layout
Imagine for a moment…just how is a googled list of 200 values trimmed to accurately reflect personal or workplace values? Post-it notes? Focus groups? Informed conjecture? Dice?
The process used in the methodology we use is based, not come quick google search, but on reflection and completing an online inventory. Your values emerge from the selections you make! Individual and shared values emerge from personal choice, and not from a high-powered google algorithm.
We use those results to to aggregate personal, team, or workplace values. There is no guess work, intuition, or random selecting. Individuals and workplaces build their output with confidence knowing that the final collection of values, assembled in a structured output, is an accurate reflection.
But we don’t stop there – our team of skilled values facilitators is ready to meet 1:1 for a private and confidential debrief, and support you as you make-meaning from your selections.
Useful Clustering of Values
What if the values identified were themed according to three of the most important aspects of one’s life and workplace? Values that illustrate the characteristics of deeply held foundational values that are necessary to anchor one’s life both personally and professionally during times of change or flux. Or the values that occupy daily focus at home, in our key relationships, and the workplace.
Could the values that inform a vision for the future – a kind of pull towards the future, point us forward with confidence on the journey to become that which we aspire as individuals and in our professional lives?
The methodology we use provides a robust structured output that gives a clear indication of:
- Foundation Values: for life and work stability
- Focus Values: indications of daily expenditure of effort
- Vision Values: values that provide motivation and direction for the future
Real-world Applications
We work hard to prepare the kinds of resources that will support you as an individual, a team of friends and colleagues, or those who work in business. Developed from our years of experience and expert knowledge, we are pleased to provide the following diverse applications to support your values insight requirements:
- Values for Individuals – insight into my own values
- Team and Group Reports – insight into the values of my group or workplace team
- Values for Strategic Planners – identifying and embedding shared values into planning projects
- Document Review for Values – review of workplace documents to identify and make meaning
Conclusion
For a values professional, a team leader, or even someone with a deep interest in their personal values, sitting with Google will provide a fast and simple way of identifying values-sounding words. A quick search, a few moments of choosing and assembling a list, and it appears that the values work is all done. At least the Google-method.
The process for identifying values using our methodology requires an investment of time and effort, but the end result is rich and reflects the deeply held values of the individual or group
If you are interested in learning more about foundational values, check out our article here.
