The Importance of Aligning Values with Your Role

More than once in my career, I've found myself at a company or in a role that didn't feel right. At times, that feeling crept in slowly, and others didn't feel right from day one. It's that feeling of dread two weeks into an exciting new position when you say to yourself, "I've made a huge mistake." You tell yourself, "It's just imposter syndrome," "It'll take time to settle in," or "I'll work extra hard to learn the new system/language/culture." While these can be true, they are often a sign of misaligned values.

In this post, we'll discuss your personal and professional values, how they align with your company and role, and how that alignment is vital to being effective, satisfied, and successful.

What are Values?

In this context, we're not necessarily talking about political views, ethics, or social issues, though there can be a lot of overlap. Instead, we’re focusing on the core principles that guide your decisions, influence your priorities, and define what you consider essential in your personal and professional life.

Values are the underlying beliefs that shape how you approach your work, interact with colleagues, and make decisions. They can range from a commitment to innovation and creativity to a deep belief in collaboration or a strong desire for work-life balance. These values act as a compass, directing how you navigate your career and what you seek in a work environment.

Understanding your values is crucial because they are the foundation for your professional satisfaction. When your role and work environment align with your values, you’re more likely to feel fulfilled, motivated, and engaged. Conversely, a mismatch can lead to frustration, burnout, and a sense of disconnect.

Defining Your Values

Defining professional values can feel nebulous or even daunting. Identifying what truly drives and fulfills you at work can be a challenge. However, clearly articulating these values can empower you to make more confident choices and ensure that your professional path aligns with what truly matters to you. Here are a few thoughts on how to define your values.

Reflect on Past Experiences

Start by looking back at your career to identify moments when you felt most fulfilled and engaged. What was it about those situations that resonated with you? Was it the creative freedom, the sense of teamwork, the challenge of solving complex problems, or something else? Conversely, think about times when you felt dissatisfied or out of place. What was missing? Understanding what didn’t work can be as revealing as knowing what did.

Identify Common Themes

As you reflect, patterns and themes will likely emerge. These could be broad concepts like innovation, integrity, or autonomy. Write these down, and don’t worry about how they’ll fit into your current role or company. The goal is to clearly understand what matters to you.

Prioritize Your Values

Once you’ve identified a list of values, it’s essential to prioritize them. Not all values will carry the same weight, and some might even be in conflict with each other. For example, you might value both collaboration and independence. Consider which of these is more important to you.

Stack rank your values. Keep a running list to review and edit on a regular cadence. I usually revisit my values every six months.

Consider How Your Values Manifest at Work

Think about how each value translates into the work environment. If you value innovation, you might thrive in a company that encourages risk-taking and creativity. If work-life balance is crucial, a role with flexible hours or a remote work option might be non-negotiable. Consider not just the work itself but also the culture, management style, and opportunities for growth. Values aren’t just about what you do; they’re about how you do it and with whom.

Regularly Reassess

Your values can evolve, especially as your career progresses or as life circumstances change. Make it a habit to revisit and reassess your values periodically. This practice will help you stay aligned with what’s most important to you and make adjustments as needed.

Some Example Values

Here are some potential values to help you start your list. Think about what resonates with you, and add at least a few of your own.

• Work-Life Balance: Prioritizing time for personal life, family, and self-care alongside professional responsibilities.
• Financial Independence: Value your financial freedom and potentially strive to retire early. It's completely fine to be financially motivated!
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Valuing a workplace that actively promotes and supports a diverse and inclusive environment.
• Integrity: A commitment to honesty, ethical behavior, and doing the right thing, even when difficult.
• Innovation: Seeking out and valuing creativity, new ideas, and the freedom to experiment and take risks.
• Collaboration: Preferring to work in environments where teamwork, mutual support, and shared goals are prioritized.
• Autonomy: Valuing the ability to work independently, make decisions, and have control over how you achieve your goals.
• Continuous Learning: A desire for growth, professional development, and acquiring new skills.
• Impact: Seeking out roles where your work makes a meaningful difference, whether within the company or the broader community.
• Recognition: Valuing environments where your contributions are acknowledged and appreciated.
• Stability: Preferring roles in companies with a strong foundation, offering job security and a predictable work environment.
• Social Responsibility: A commitment to working for companies prioritizing sustainability and ethical practices and positively contributing to society.

Assessing Role Alignment

Once you’ve defined your core values, the next step is to assess whether your current role—or a potential new one—aligns with those values. This alignment is crucial for long-term satisfaction and career success. Here are a few areas worth evaluating.

1. Company Culture: Do the company’s stated values and everyday practices align with your own? Pay attention to how leadership behaves and how decisions are made—these are often telling indicators of the company’s true priorities.

2. Management and Leadership: Consider whether your manager and the broader leadership team embody the values you hold dear. Their approach can significantly impact your experience in the role.

3. Daily Work Experience: Reflect on whether your day-to-day tasks and interactions support or conflict with your values. If you value collaboration, for example, are you regularly engaging in meaningful teamwork?

4. Red Flags: Be aware of signs that your values might be at odds with your role, such as frequent frustration, discomfort, or a sense of disconnect. These feelings can indicate that it might be time to reassess your fit.

Refer to your list of values often. Ultimately, trust your gut. You'll know if something feels out of alignment.

When It’s Time to Leave

Even when a role begins as a good fit, there may come a time when it no longer aligns with your values. Below are a few signs it might be time to move on.

1. Persistent Value Clashes: If you find yourself frequently compromising on your core values or feeling uncomfortable with the company's direction, it’s a strong signal that alignment has been lost.

2. Lack of Growth: If your role no longer offers the opportunities for growth or development that you value, it might be time to seek out new challenges elsewhere.

3. Loss of Motivation: When the passion that once fueled your work fades, and your job feels more like a chore than a calling, it’s worth considering whether your values are still aligned with the role.

4. Negative Impact on Well-being: If your work is taking a toll on your physical or mental health, or if you are experiencing burnout, it’s essential to prioritize your well-being and consider whether staying is worth the cost.

Leaving a role isn’t easy, but recognizing these signs early on can help you make a more informed choice about your next steps.

Conclusion

Throughout my career, I’ve learned that staying true to my values is not just a matter of personal integrity; it’s a vital component of growth, job satisfaction, and success. There have been times when I’ve ignored that nagging feeling of misalignment, convincing myself that things would improve or that I just needed to adapt. In those situations, in retrospect, I almost always stayed in positions longer than I should have and passed up good opportunities in the process.

Revisit your values often. Adjust them freely. Don't compromise on what's important for you and your future self.