Terminology Journal: Core Values & Conflict
Summary
Our personal values help us navigate what is “good” or “bad,” “right” or “wrong,” “just” or “unjust.” (They also make for great responses to the “What is your greatest strength” interview question!)
Value conflicts are caused by perceived or actual incompatible belief systems. People often fight about differing core values – different “virtual realities” of what is right and wrong. Just turn on the news or listen to the platforms of candidates, during an election year.
In addition, organizations have values. Organizational values are the guiding principles that provide an organization with purpose and direction. They help companies manage their interactions with both customers and employees
People often work at companies that are out of alignment with their core values. It can be a miserable and even devastating experience. Interestingly, unhappy professionals often know something is terribly wrong, but can’t pinpoint exactly what is making them feel so disrespected, undervalued and unappreciated. In many cases, it’s a serious clash in values where the employers’ behavior, mission and culture clashes fiercely with what you hold to be good, true and respectable.
Differing values do not have to cause repairable conflict; however, it is critical that you know what your individual values are as well as the core values of the company.
Reading & Video
If you haven’t already,
1. Watch: Please listen to Lisa’s presentation on Core Values and Conflict:https://youtu.be/cIeTFTWS-PILinks
2. Read: Personal Values and BeliefsLinks to an external site.
3. Review: List of Core Values.pdf
Sample Student Submission
*Note: Part B of the assignment is not in this sample, because I just added it: Sample Terminology Journal Core Values & Conflict.pdf
Assignment
Part A: Individual Core Values
This part of the assignment is about you exploring your individual core values:
Core values. At the top of this section of your Word document type: “Core Values.” Using the List of Core Values.pdf
select 3 of your top individual core values. Next to each core value write 7-10 sentences responding to these questions:
WHY THAT PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL CORE VALUE IS IMPORTANT TO YOU;
where you think each of those core values came from (life experience, parent, friend, mentor, etc.)
Could you used the core value in response to the interview question: “What is your greatest strength?”
Part B: Someone else’s values
This part of the assignment is about you talking with someone about their core values:
A. Find someone in your life and show them the List of Core Values.pdf
and ask them to select their top 3 individual core values. Then ask them why that particular individual was important to them and where they think each of those core values came from (life experience, parent, friend, mentor, etc.)B. In a long paragraph, write their core values and a short summary of their responses to the questions into your assignment. Part C: Conflicting Core Values
This part of the assignment is about you exploring core values as the cause of interpersonal conflict:
Conflict: In a paragraph (7-10 sentence), chose one of the top core values you listed in Part A, and…