Seeing Red Cars: This tool helps compare personal and organizational/team values
Don’t let quiet discontent fester; Seek opportunities that align with values!
Beware of disconnects between your personal values and the organizational values of the company you currently work for or are considering joining. Examples:
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You value innovation |
The organization values tradition |
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You value transparency |
The organization is autocratic |
|
You value collaborative teams |
The organization rewards individual performance |
I once joined a company on the same day as another woman. Her values were totally aligned with the organization and she thought it was heaven. I felt as though I landed on Mars. The values and attributes I desired were completely different. I stayed for 18 painful months and she recently retired after a long and successful career with that company.
If I had used a tool like this I probably never would have accepted the offer. Here’s how I would have completed this Seeing Red Cars tool at the time we were both hired:
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Team or Organizational Attributes |
Team or Organizational Values |
Personal Values |
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Highly Traditional |
Tradition |
Forward Thinking |
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Control |
Consistency |
Innovative |
|
Conservative |
Systems |
Achievement |
|
Happy w/Status Quo |
Integrity |
Influence |
|
Security |
Stability |
Courage |
If you’re feeling a sense of quiet discontent with your current job, it might help to complete this tool for yourself. Here is a PDF of the tool (You may download an editable PDF free from seeingredcarsbook.com under the Toolkit tab.):
Here are ways you can research or questions you can ask to complete the columns:
Personal Values: Values are those things you hold dear or esteem highly. Think about what you truly value. Here is a list of sample values to get you started:
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Abundance |
Achievement |
Adventure |
Appreciation |
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Boldness |
Bravery |
Challenge |
Execution |
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Courage |
Creativity |
Curiosity |
Agility |
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Flexibility |
Decisiveness |
Determination |
Giving |
|
Integrity |
Outcomes |
Autonomy |
Mastery |
There are hundreds of values from which to choose. Pick five values that truly resonate with you, and enter them in the Personal Values column.
Answers for the two organization columns can sometimes be found on the company’s website under “About” or “Our Values.” Perhaps there is a letter from the president or CEO, or an annual report. Look for terms that address the organization’s values and attributes and enter them in the appropriate columns. These questions may help:
Team or Organizational Values:
What is important to the company?
What is important to this group?
What gets rewarded?
What is problematic?
What do people pay attention to?
What is most important?
Team and Organizational Attributes:
How does this group function?
What does it reward?
What does it discourage?
How does this group/organization view and respond to change? Innovation? Projects? Leadership?
Now look for similarities and differences between your personal column and the other two. How important are your personal values? If there’s a lack of alignment, can you live with it or will it drive you crazy? This analysis may help you make decisions about your current or potential position.
If you want to drive yourself, your team and your organization to a positive future, I am excited to offer the tools that can get you there. Check out these resources at seeingredcarsbook.com.
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Do you feel a quiet discontent because your personal values do not align with your job/company?
What does a comparison of your personal values with your team and/or organization tell you?
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Seeing Red Cars the book is available from popular retailers through our book website, seeingredcarsbook.com.
____________ Laura Goodrich Innovator l Author l Expert Speaker Radio l TV l Program Host Internationally Recognized Expert in Workplace Dynamics and Change Email: laura@onimpactproductions.com Website: www.onimpactproductions.com Business: 952-856-6071 Mobile: 952-240-1516 SKYPE: laura.goodrich OOVOO: Laura Goodrich Author: Seeing Red Cars: Driving Yourself, Your Team and Your Organization to a Positive Future is available at Amazon http://amzn.to/aj0IUm or Barnes and Noble http://bit.ly/c5F1j7 Seeing Red Cars — Mindset to Win — Forbes Magazine http://blogs.forbes.com/mindmakeover/2011/02/03/seeing-red-cars-mindset-to-win/ Program Host and Author: Seeing Red Cars Film: www.seeingredcars.com Book: www.seeingredcarsbook.com FB: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seeing-Red-Cars-with-Laura-Goodrich/179858525374208?v=wall App: Seeing Red Cars “I Want Statement” iPhone/ iPad http://bit.ly/afWHOx Seeing Red Cars Products: http://bit.ly/cB29Tq Program Host and Author: Shifting Years: Leverage the Power of Generations Film: www.shiftingyears.com FB Shifting Years: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shifting-Years-Leverage-The-Power-of-Generations/129830580411162 Radio Host: FutureWork http://www.blogtalkradio.com/laura-goodrich TV Host and Producer: Life to the Max http://www.lifetothemax.tv/about.html Laura Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laura-Goodrich/164266833612423?v=wall Twitter: http://twitter.com/lauragoodrich Blog: http://lgoodrich.posterous.com/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/lauragoodrich Seeing Red Cars FB: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seeing-Red-Cars-with-Laura-Goodrich/179858525374208?v=wall Seeing Red Cars Book: Amazon ( http://amzn.to/aj0IUm ) or Barnes and Noble ( http://bit.ly/c5F1j7 .) Shifting Years FB: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shifting-Years-Leverage-The-Power-of-Generations/129830580411162?v=wall Slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/LauraGoodrich Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/35914444@N07/


