Values research indicates that more than 500 human values can be identified on the planet. A certain social and geographical culture is shaped by a subset of specific values. Based on the research of Brian P. Hall and Benjamin Tonna, VALUE.Online has carefully chosen and defined the values which seem to be most relevant in today’s Western societies. By uncovering your core values, you can live and work with more purpose, authenticity and intention.
Cultures are built on relationships between individuals. These relationships are determined by the core values people hold in common, and how they deal with the differences. Relationships between people make any group, organization or society succeed or fail. Because communication is radically relational, values are at the heart of effective and authentic communication.
Personal values emerge from our individual experiences. They are not imposed by culture, family or other external influences. Rather, profound inner and outer experiences make certain values important for us. We reinforce their importance through story-telling, so that eventually they “land” in our psyche and shape the lens through which we see the world, affecting our attitudes, behaviors and even communication style.
Sharing our values – and the stories that bring them to life – can show how individual members of a team are similar, and how team members are different. Because everyone has a set of human values, exploring them in a group opens an opportunity to connect more deeply with each other through the differences as well as the similarities.
Values are not static. Profound life experiences, personal growth and internal and external shifts can affect which values we hold most important at any time. Your Values Ranking is a “snapshot” of the values guiding your attitudes, behavior and communication today, and informing where you are headed tomorrow.