Viewing Posts by Kashmir Birk
VALUES AS PRECISION TOOLS
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Our values shape and define who we are. Our values are the sum of our beliefs, needs and assumptions. Some people go through their whole life unaware of the values that shape their judgments and relationships. When we are not aware of values, it can be like changing lanes without checking our blind spot. We can end up in perpetual conflicts and breakdowns. When get wrapped up in our own assumptions. When we get trapped in trying to explain everything through projections. When we get caught up in behaviors (who said what, who did what to who), not their root cause. Imagine a relationship that is a perpetual accident. When we are blind to our own values and how they shape our thinking and actions. When we are blind to other peoples values. We call this values-myopia. Values-myopia will wreck not only projects, but also entire lives. This can mean the difference between success and project failure at work. This is why PMI has published the our core values of project management. This can mean the difference between the fulfillment of our intimate relationships at home or the most important personal relationships of our life being damaged for life. The difference is entirely up to us. When we are conscious of our values we can use them to as precision tools like a compass to navigate through vulnerability, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity.
These four PMI Values “…describe the expectations that we have or ourselves and our fellow practitioners in the global project management community. It articulates the ideals to which we aspire as well as the behaviors that are mandatory in our professional and volunteer roles” https://www.pmi.org/about/ethics/code Values are the foundation of effective project and disciplined agile leadership. Our shared values form the basis of the culture we inhabit. Our values are the basis for change and how results are achieved. The same values can take on completely different meanings for individuals, given their depth of development and self-awareness. Values-driven leadership has always been important in project management. In an agile environment this discipline is crucial as the transparency across all roles and functions taps the potential that resides within each individual and between people. Dialogue about values is healthy. This clarity of communication can allow potentially destructive conflicts to be anticipated and turned into creative conflicts that drive creativity and innovation. In other words, people working together may have different values, even conflicting values, but when these are understood and appreciated, they can allow for creative conflict that creates something that is greater than the sum of the parts. This discipline is not easy. But this can be the difference between failure and greatness. What are your driving values? Take a minute. Grab a piece of paper and write out the three or four values that are the most important to you in your home and work life. What are the shared values of the teams you work in? How close are these to the four PMI Core Values? If the shared values of the teams you work in are not defined, what if - as an experiment - you were to use the four PMI Core Values as precision tools for driving excellence? These two steps will enable you turn your values into a precision tool, a proactive way of creating the future.
It is important to ask others for feedback on specific aspects of the ways in which you relate and lead and to carve out quality time to provide constructive feedback to others. The more proactively you do this, the more your values will shape your personal brand. This will allow you to attune into how your leadership presence is experienced and valued by the world. Being values-driven transforms how we navigate through the chaos and turbulence of our new realities. How are you going to use your VALUES to create the future of your family, your work and your relationship with yourself? There are many things that we cannot choose in life, but our most important choices of all, who we are, how we show up, what we stand for and how we create the future through our values – these choices are in our complete control. Please share in your comments your thoughts on the importance of values in your work and life, so we can all learn from each other. How are you going to use values to create the future through the chaos and turbulence of your new realities? |
CREATING THE FUTURE
| This is the first part of a six-part series developed exclusively for PMI Members. The aim of this series is to explore how our personal and professional values can be used as a proactive, precision tool to shape the future, especially as we all prepare for the new realities of the post-COVID-19 world. Alan Kay invented the GUI interface used on all Macs, iPhones, iPads and Windows applications. Alan also invented object-oriented programming and early prototypes that supported the development of the mouse, tablets and laptops. Alan Kay was asked how he was able to predict the future year after year, with such precision and consistency? He responded: “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” He was paraphrasing Abraham Lincoln who had said “The best way to predict your future is to create it” We can wait for experts to tell us how the future is going to unfold or we can use our professional and personal values to create our future. Instead of treating values as simply standards to be adhered to, or characteristics of people or descriptions of culture in a reactive way, we would like you to think of values as precision tools that enable you to manage and lead change, proactively. Our character and reputation are defined by our values in action. Not by what we say we believe in but how we apply our values in all our decisions and relationships. Mahatma Gandhi said "Your habits become your values, your values become your destiny". Values are the lynch-pin between our habits and our destiny. When we are conscious of our values it allows us to examine our habits objectively and shape our destiny permanently. We will not only be remembered by what we did in life, but also how we did it. When our values are crystal clear, decisions, even tough ones in times of uncertainty, become much clearer. Through this series we are going to build on the foundation of the existing standards and definitions of the four PMI Core Values - Responsibility, Fairness, Respect and Honesty. https://www.pmi.org/about/ethics/code The six blog postings in this series are:
The world has already begun to change through the upheaval of this global pandemic. More change are going to come. We may as well apply our leadership capabilities to transform the future on our terms. There are many things that we cannot choose in life, but our most important choices of all, who we are, how we show up, what we stand for and how we create the future through our values – these choices are in our complete control. Please share in your comments your thoughts on the importance of values, so we can all learn from each other. How are you going to use values to create the future through the chaos and turbulence of your new realities? Kashmir |
