Activity Overview

Leaders have responsibilities to themselves and to their organization to exhibit their values at all times. This activity helps participants think through their principles.

Objectives

• To help participants reaffirm their key values.
• To identify how values become the foundation of our ethical standards, behavior, and decision-making.

Training Methods

• Reflection
• Discussion

Equipment

• 12′′ × 17′′ paper and cards

Room Setup

Enough tables and chairs for small groups

Our values become the footing for our standards, decisions, and behavior as leaders.

Step by Step Instructions

1. Introduce the topic and give an outline. Start by saying, “Values provide the foundation for our standards, decisions, and behavior as leaders. In this activity, you will identify several values that form the core of who you are as an individual. Then we’ll look at how your leadership values impact others.”
2. You then need to define “value” as “a belief you hold so deeply, it pervades everything you do and say. Your belief is so strong that, when it is challenged, you do not hesitate to speak out and stand your ground. We find that very few things fit this criterion at any one time, but the beliefs we hold are very dear.”
3. Ask participants to privately list ten values—tangible or intangible—that mean so much to them—values that regulate their lives.
4.  Divide participants into teams of four, and allow time for people to read their lists to one another. Ask people to share why they chose and what they did.
5. Then say, “Privately, bring down the list and draw a line through three values that are of lesser importance to you.” When everyone is about finished, ask them to share what they eliminated with their groups.
6. Next, say, “Now draw a line through three more values that are of lesser importance to you and write your top four values, one on each index card.” Then have each person put up their cards on a wall and see if anyone else shares the same values. Groups may move similar cards together to illustrate any commonality.
7. Ask individuals if any of their values are in conflict with the values of their organizations. If so, have the participant take his or her card off the wall and explain how this discrepancy might be dealt with at work.
8. Ask people to try one more round of elimination to select their highest value. “Put a big star on your card and sign your name on it. Then do your next-highest value.” Chose a partner and talk about times when someone questioned this value or they had to defend it.
9. Bring the activity to a close by asking volunteers to try to summarize how important certain values are to the way they handle their responsibilities to the organization and to themselves. How is the organization affected by the values of its employees?

Activity Review

Take time shortly after conducting this activity to reflect on how it went, how engaged the participants were, and what questions they raised. Then, make notes that include how much time you actually spent on the activity.