VALUES DEFINE
WOMEN IN MANAGEMENT
AT THEIR DEEPEST LEVEL

Values represent your highest priorities and deeply helddriving forces. They are the traits and qualities you considerworthwhile. When you become part of any organization, you bring these deeply held beliefs with you where they co-mingle with the beliefs of others in the organization in support of an organizational value system or corporate culture.

If someone were ask me to list mine, it would take me some time to come up with a list from which to choose. To help you getstarted on your list, I’ve provided some thought starters.

It is helpful to make a written list before proceeding to develop your personal mission and vision statements and your overall professional development plan.

Not everyone shares a common set of beliefs, which can result in your becoming internally conflicted. What happens if honesty is important to you and you are directed by your boss or another superior to do something that you know to be dishonest? Or if loyalty is important to you and you boss personally dislikes one of your team members and wants you to fire him or her? (This happened to me and was very difficult to deal with. The woman in question ultimately stayed on our team.)

Perhaps your most difficult challenge as a new woman manager will be to remain true to yourself. It may require a very difficult discussion, but to remain true to yourself you have to stand your ground. Once you compromise any of your core beliefs, you are on a slippery slope and could make a decision or take action that will haunt you for a long time.

This may (or may not - depending on your comfort level) be something you want to discuss with your mentor since it would put someone else in a very bad light and have far-reaching consequences – “whistle blower” laws notwithstanding.

Your beliefs, and your strength to honor them, go everywhere with you. Do absolutely everything you can to stay true to them!

Stephen R. Covey, of 7 Habits fame says that “the key to the ability to change is a changeless sense of who you are, what you are about and what you value” – a pretty credible recommendation for identifying and writing down your key beliefs.

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