Why a career that is congruent with your values is a must
When was the last time you sat down, and thought about your values?
Can you name them?
Do you know what it looks like when you’re living life in a way that honours them? How about at work?
While your personal and professional values might differ slightly, there are likely to be overlaps and similarities between the two, IF you have absolute clarity around what they are.
This overlap is called congruence (noun ~ agreement or harmony; compatibility) in your career.
Lots of people tend to randomly pick out words/things that feel important to have as values. Things they *think* they should value. Or wish they did, but actually don’t.
Your values support you in your career the same way they do in life, acting as a compass that keeps you heading in a direction that feels great in your head, heart and gut. You wake up in the morning (mostly) feeling excited about the day ahead. You feel purposeful, accomplished, in your flow, and like work works for you. It’s mind-blowing how much impact your values have on your career, both at a micro day-to-day level and at the really ‘big picture, dots joined, living your life purpose’ level.
A misalignment can lead at best, to irritation and underperformance, and at worst, to a sense of utter dread at the prospect of Monday morning.
Remember, an average full-time worker spends more time working than they do with their significant other! And whether you work 15 hours a week or 38, why would you compromise what matters most deep down, and settle for a career that doesn’t align with your values?
5 ways you can create a career that is congruent with your values
It sounds painfully obvious, I know, BUT make sure you yourself are crystal clear on what matters most in all aspects of your life, including work, and why. This is one of the first things I do with my clients, as it is so important and underpins much of the work that follows.
Use language on your CV to showcase your achievements in a way that reflects and honours your values, so potential employers can get a sense of them from the get-go. I make sure my clients are equipped with a standout CV that showcases their talents and achievements, while also painting a true reflection of who they are, which is why they end up securing roles they absolutely love.
Ask questions at interview to establish whether your values are compatible with those of the organisation you have applied to work for. An example of this could be if you value environmental sustainability. You might say: “One of my personal goals this year is to reduce my contribution to landfill and find more ways to recycle and compost. Can you tell me whether you have an organisational sustainability plan and any examples of green initiatives in the workplace?” When I am coaching my clients in the lead-up to interviews I always make sure they are armed with a few first-class questions, designed to help them make a call on whether the organisation is a great fit for them (remembering work is a two-way relationship).
Develop a good understanding of what living your values at work looks like on a practical level. What needs to happen for you to be working in congruence with your values? If there are small misalignments, what action can you take to bring more harmony into the equation? For example, if you value companionship or connection, and your office is working remotely on an ongoing basis, can you implement a weekly in-person lunch meeting with a colleague or group of colleagues? There are lots of practical actions you can take at work to bring your values into congruence.
Make sure your long-term career strategy is tied to a mission, purpose, or calling that resonates with your values. What do you want your professional legacy to be? If you were retiring tomorrow, how would you like to be remembered professionally?
So, have you thought about your values lately, and whether the work you are doing is aligning with what’s most important to you? If you’d like more clarity, you can book a free 30-minute coaching call with me now.