by Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
When we think about the word values – we tend to think of a poster inside corporate companies – ‘we value team work, trust, innovation’ – blah blah! Hopefully these values get brought into company culture and it forms the basis for how decisions are made, what to focus on and how to live the company brand. If they don’t – they live on the wall as a reminder of what they could choose to become.
Inspired by a podcast with Simon Sinek – he spoke about how important it is that we decide our values as individuals first. It made me reflect on a conversation I had with my mother in my early twenties when I had just started a career in advertising and wasn’t married at that stage. I vividly remember telling her that she shouldn’t expect grand kids because it would interfere with my career dreams. Indeed – famous last words!
I’m turning 38 this year – with 2 kids and happily married. Over time, our values change as we move through different life phases especially with the jump to becoming a parent. A few years ago, I made a conscious choice that family is my number one value that informs all the decisions I make.
‘Values’ are not just a buzzword but a way to simplify and help steer your decision making and know what’s truly important. I recently had a meeting with a very successful female CEO. She told me when her kids were in primary school, they were avid hockey and rugby players and she made a decision she wanted to be there to support her kids in the afternoons and come to their big games.
When someone requested a meeting over the same time period that clashed with a game she would ask them to come to the hockey field for a meeting. This was when she was head of Human Resources for a massive mining company. You know what – every single person accepted her request. Granted, the meetings went quickly as they felt a bit uncomfortable but she stayed true to who she is and managed both. That’s the power of living your values and the bigger lesson for me is how crucial it is to manage your boundaries about the things that matter most.
So think about your values and then make sure you live in accordance with them. When you know your values, it makes key decisions simpler. When an opportunity or request arises - ask yourself ‘is this in line with what I value’ – even choosing clients or projects. If is resonates with your being than do it and if it makes you feel a little awkward inside where that little voice of intuition is trying to guide you towards or away from a situation – listen to it because it isn’t true to your values.
Here’s to owning your values,
Warm wishes
Lori
LORI MILNER is the engaging facilitator, thought leader and mentor known for her insightful approach to being a modern corporate woman. Her brainchild, the successful initiative Beyond the Dress, is the embodiment of her passion to empower women. Beyond the Dress has worked with South Africa’s leading corporates and empowered hundreds of women with valuable insight on how to bridge the gap between work and personal life. Clients include Siemens, Massmart, Alexander Forbes, Life Healthcare Group, RMB Private Bank and Unilever to name a few. Lori has co-authored Own Your Space: The Toolkit for the Working Woman in conjunction with Nadia Bilchik, CNN Editorial Producer. Own Your Space provides practical tools and insights gleaned from workshops held around the world and from interviews with some of South Africa’s most accomplished women to provide you with tried-and-tested techniques, tips and advice to help you boost your career, enhance your confidence and truly own your space on every level. Own Your Space is the ultimate ‘toolkit’ to unleash your true power. It’s for the woman who wants to take her career to new heights and who is ready to fulfil her true potential.
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