Definition of Values
Webster University
Let's start with the Random House Webster's Dictionary definition of values:
"The abstract view of what is right or worthwhile. To think with respect to worth or importance."
This definition, although articulate, seems rather nebulous. Now think how Arthur Burk defines values:
"A value is an abstract view that is embraced at the price of personal comfort."
This definition suggests that to live in harmony with their values, population are willing to sacrifice their personal comfort. If this is true, these population may even be willing to do things that others do not agree with, so they can stay aligned with their values. But does this definition also suggest that differing values in the middle of people, organizations and ethnic groups may of course cause conflict? Is this some great new discovery?
Of course not. As members of the human race, we have recognized for thousands of years that differing values can and do cause conflict. However, if we respect each other properly, differing values don't have to cause conflict. I would like to suggest the following definition of values:
"A value is an abstract view that a man is willing to embrace at the price of personal comfort."
Most population will sacrifice their personal relax for their most important values and it happens often but if we, as a society, are more aware and respectful of others and their values we can sacrifice the rate and severity of values-based conflict. So why don't we spend more time trying to understand each other's values? Why don't we try to ensure that our values are aligned with our organization's values? And if alignment is not possible, why don't we at least try to understand why population react the way they do? Why don't we build a plan to deal with these differences?
These are engaging questions that each of us of course need to give some deep thought. If we could spend some time listening to those around us and comprehension their values and construction a connection with them that is based on mutual respect of the differing value systems there would be a lot less disagreement in our world.
September 11th, 2001 I was sitting in a bid report meeting in Houston, Texas (about 3500 miles from my home in Calgary, Alberta) when the news of the World Trade center was delivered like a ton of bricks to me via a cell phone call from my wife. This event stirred up many emotions from every man all around the world. The population in the meeting reacted with shock and disbelief and most were driven by their basic, most important values which were security of self and family. Due to this commitment, many population left what they were doing and returned home to be with their families. surface our meeting, many population across North America were driven by their faith/religious values and spent time praying for the victims and their families. Others were driven by the values of loyalty and commitment to their country and left their homes and relatives and headed for New York to do what they could to help out. Still others (New York fire and police departments) were driven by their value of courage and stepped into harms way to help others in need at the site of the tragedy itself.
Everyone has differing concepts of what they are willing to embrace at the price of personal comfort. This dissimilarity in values is one of the things that makes us, as people, distinct from each other. It is also important to note that individuals in community must have distinct values in order for our community to function properly. Can you imagine what would have happened after the events of 9/11 if everyone in the Us would have went home to be with their families and not one man went to the site of the tragedy to contribute withhold and assistance? Or if everyone went to the site and no one went home to be with the children and other house members that needed withhold and comforting?
Values in the middle of individuals can be and should be different. However, it is up to us to ensure that these differences in values are viewed of course as well as used positively. Do not fall into the trap of values based conflict.
What Are Values and Why Are They Important? - Part 1
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