Empowering Wellbeing Through Core Values in Leadership
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Chapter 1: The Foundation of Wellbeing
During my tenure as an FBI agent, I quickly came to understand that the "needs of the Bureau" were paramount. Assignments and caseloads were often distributed with minimal regard for their impact on individual agents. Tasks frequently seemed unachievable within the constraints of a single day or week, with little consideration for the time necessary to complete them.
Despite these challenges, team spirit remained high. While we often voiced our frustrations and joked about being overwhelmed, the key factor was that our values resonated with those of the FBI. This alignment ensured that our wellbeing was preserved, even while tackling critical cases such as child abductions or counter-terrorism efforts.
The mission to safeguard American citizens fueled our dedication, allowing us to navigate demanding workloads without sacrificing our health. The core values of the FBI—Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity—alongside others like compassion and diligence, guided our actions.
Values shape our worldview and form the basis of our decisions. They are essential in determining what we deem important in life. Navigating the distractions of modern life requires mental resilience. Are you mentally strong? Consider taking a FREE Mental Toughness Assessment to gauge your capabilities.
In today’s landscape, where economic instability and a lingering pandemic threaten wellbeing, it’s crucial for leaders to uphold the right values. Our behaviors, lifestyles, and relationships are all influenced by these guiding principles, which provide clarity of purpose and foster a meaningful existence.
The video titled "Psychologist's Step-by-Step Process to Identify Your Core Values" provides insights into understanding personal values, a key element in enhancing wellbeing.
Chapter 2: Nurturing Self-Love
- Prioritize Self-Care
We often grow weary of the typical airline safety instructions, but the truth remains: we must secure our own oxygen masks before assisting others. Thich Nhat Hanh wisely remarked, “Until we are able to love and take care of ourselves, we cannot be of much help to others.”
However, in today’s society, self-care is frequently misconstrued as narcissism. Social media is filled with curated images that distract us from genuine self-connection.
Many believe they are self-aware, yet true self-love requires deeper introspection beyond superficial self-help clichés. A lack of self-awareness can lead to shallow goals and values that mimic those of others, rather than reflecting our true selves.
You are your own priority, which is a fundamental aspect of survival. Until you nurture your mind and body, it will be challenging to extend love and service to others. Our tendency to stay busy often stems from an aversion to solitude, making practices like meditation both difficult and essential.
How to Make It Work for You: Embrace solitude to become more attuned to your inner self. Allow moments of quiet to reveal the layers of your being. This process may bring difficult feelings to the surface, but true wellbeing involves confronting both the positive and negative aspects of ourselves.
- Identify Your Values
While everyone holds values, articulating them can be challenging. It requires a thorough reflection on what drives our actions. For instance, we may claim to value the environment, yet our lifestyle choices may contradict that belief.
Values evolve over time. As life circumstances shift, so too can our priorities. Regular self-check-ins are essential to ensure alignment with your core beliefs.
How to Make It Work for You: Reflect on the past week to pinpoint moments of pride or regret in your actions, and observe how these experiences align with your values.
The second video, "How to Raise Your Self Esteem, Confidence & Standards | High Value Traits," offers strategies for enhancing personal values, essential for wellbeing.
- Support Employee Values
Talented employees may leave if they feel their values are overlooked. Leaders must demonstrate a commitment to employee wellbeing, showing that they care about each individual's growth.
By leading with integrity and making values clear, leaders can foster an environment where employees feel respected and valued. This not only enhances morale but also improves retention.
How to Make It Work for You:
- Avoid prioritizing outcome-based metrics exclusively.
- Engage with former employees for candid feedback on the workplace atmosphere.
- Facilitate discussions about values and their implications on wellbeing.
