There was a work-related challenge in mid-2023. I took time in Dec 2023 to revisit my personal values, mission, and vision. Dr. Demartini’s 13 questions reaffirmed my realignment in Dec 2023. My core values are in two groups:
1) Learning (Curiosity/Competence/Growth/Autonomy) and
2) Adventure (Friendships/Justice/integrity).
The steps to align my core values with the organizational culture might differ. I prefer to be in a structured environment where the rules are clear. Changes are encouraged within the construct or framework within the collective protocols.
Step 1: Evaluate the organizational structure based on their websites (what they said) and people (what they do).
Step 2: I will adjust and adapt my approach to deploying my values into the organization based on the appropriate level and accountabilities.
The key is to adapt as quickly as possible. The results of my realignment exercise of late 2023 helped me re-establish my career goals. On the personal side, I like to get back to what I enjoy the most—providing pro bono services to the community. I believe I am in the service phase again. It’s a form of learning when I provide pro bono services. I would like to be an excellent follower on the professional development side. I would be honored to be an individual contributor to an organization that aligns with my values/passions.
Hi Chia-Li,
I did some similar soul-searching when I left LA and moved to Philadelphia (is soul-searching really just values-searching?) I left behind a company whose values were much different from mine and made a list of things that were going to be deal-breakers for my next position. I passed up many positions that I felt would be more of the same and it took me a little longer than expected to find a position that was a better fit, but eventually did find one. Of course after a while in that new position, I found that it was missing some of the other values that were important to me at the time.
I think it's hard to find a place with an exact values match. I'm sure perfect alignment happens from time to time, but I wonder if even perfect alignment isn't fleeting. A company's stated values may become out of phase depending on who is hired and the difficulty of the challenges they face. Even our personal values may change over time; some things have stayed the same, but not everything I valued in my 20s is what I value today.
Best of luck as you become the best version of yourself!
Hello Chia,
Your soul searching has done you a great justice. Your values seem to be genuine and true to what you believe. I would agree, it is going to be hard to find a company with the exact match of your values because your values change, and the company values may change. You have to be adaptable to the changing environments but always be true to your values and what you are passionate about.
@rob-hughes Thank you for the encouragement! You are right, there is no perfect employers, how we adapt into the environment can help!
Chia-Li, Rob, and John,
I hope you all did what Chia-Li did by reflecting on Dr. DeMartini's video. It was an eye opener for me since I thought I knew what I valued most but was surprised what I missed until I took the time to reflect on what is important. In some cases, you may find that what you think you value is just driven by society or your environment rather than what you truly care about.
Hats off to Rob to find the right organization for him since most people do not select their next employment the way he did.
Jim