Core Values: How Do We Learn From Them?

How do we get somewhere in a new territory without a map? What guides us?

Our values are the ethical convictions we carry with us. The most established values we hold usually come from our families or places of origin that influenced us in our upbringing. Even subconsciously, our core values influence the decisions we make every day.

In this video from the Healthy and Empowered Youth (HEY) Project, Native youth in Idaho share the values they learned from their families as part of a health promotion program that empowers both the youth creating the video and triggers reflection to the viewer:

Reflecting on our own core values can make us better leaders. We can quickly see that we don’t all have the same core values. Spending time either in self-reflection or through guided learning can lead to a greater understanding of ourselves, our leadership style, and the needs of our colleagues, families and friends.

Over time, we fine-tune our individual values and practice using them in our work place to help navigate complex environments. Commitment to our core values makes us effective and trusting leaders, and helps us stand up for what we believe even in the face of adversity.

Here is an example from the EverydayLeadership.org videos: Bertha Katjivena, the director of policy, planning, and human resource development for the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Republic of Namibia, speaks here about the core value she learned from her grandfather—honesty.

Using video in trainings or individual work is an innovative way to reflect on core values, share insights with others, and serve as a starting point for discussion. Try using videos from the Everyday Leadership website for self-reflection or as teaching tools.

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