Values are the often unwritten assumptions that guide our actions. Our values demonstrate our convictions, or our heartfelt beliefs, and they also determine our priorities. Values are based on principles that we hold dear and that will determine how we will operate in life. Values provide the foundation for our mission which is the basis for formulating goals and setting direction. If these values are not thought through then we can become directionless.
Because values are the often unwritten assumptions the leadership team seldom takes them into consideration when they are formulating goals and setting direction. Often the only time they are spoken about is when someone on the team does something that is deemed to be outside of our values.
Even if you are convinced you have developed clear values at some stage in the past it doesn’t hurt every so often to revisit them to ensure things haven’t changed. So what is the best way to do that? Let me suggest the following exercise.
I find the affinity exercise helpful for this purpose. It allows all people to have an equal voice regardless of introversion/extroversion. In a smaller group of, say, 4-6 people give each person 7 post-it notes. Allow 5-7 minutes of silence while each person writes down what he or she would consider the core values, putting one value on each post-it note. Then, maintaining the discipline of silence, have each person go and post their notes on a whiteboard. Continuing in silence, everyone can rearrange the post-it notes to cluster similar ideas together. Anyone can move anyone else’s notes.
Next, as the facilitator, take a marker and circle each cluster. Read each of the notes in that cluster aloud. If the group senses that they fit, leave them there. If some don’t, move them to a miscellaneous category for a while. Then give each category a name reflecting the dominant value. It could be “honesty and transparency” or “serving the least of these”… whatever seems to best reflect what is written on the post-it notes.
Because this is a Spirit-led process, with thought and discussion having gone into the exercise on the front end, I find that the affinity exercise usually yields a digest or synthesis that has broad support and hits all the major value areas. The full process is designed to take people out of the cognitive space where many of us usually reside and open us up to what we are hearing from the Holy Spirit.
If you want any further information on this subject feel free to make contact with me at info@resourcezone.com.au
Colin is the Director of ResourceZone. He has 30 years of ministry experience as a pastor, college lecturer and consultant/coach to consultants, denominational leaders and local church pastors. He can be reached at info@resourcezone.com.au
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