Seeing Red Cars: This tool helps compare personal and organizational/team values

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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:

You value innovation

The organization values tradition

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:

Team or Organizational Attributes

Team or Organizational Values

Personal Values

Highly Traditional

Tradition

Forward Thinking

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.):

Click here to download:
filled_in_tool_for_blog_12.pdf (1.03 MB)
(download)

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:

Abundance

Achievement

Adventure

Appreciation

Boldness

Bravery

Challenge

Execution

Courage

Creativity

Curiosity

Agility

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

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Seeing Red Cars Book: Amazon ( http://amzn.to/aj0IUm ) or Barnes and Noble ( http://bit.ly/c5F1j7 .)

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About

Laura is an innovator l video Producer l author l host and speaker specializing in change and the future of work and life! She is passionate about helping people, teams and organizations navigate these wild roads of change! Her book and film Seeing Red Cars – Driving Yourself, Your Team and Your Organization to a Positive Future – are described as transformational, relevant and timely. Recently named honorable mention in the business category at the San Francisco book festival. It’s ranked #2 on Amazon in Business/Work Life Balance. Her short video “Positive Future” received 1st place in Training Magazine’s video competition in 2011 http://ow.ly/5zaxa Her film Shifting Years – received 2nd place in Training Magazine’s video competition in 2011 Is change in your future? Her new Embracing Change video is set to release soon! Get them talking.

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