Values as a Decision-Making Tool: Part III
In early October 2024, before we knew the outcome of the election, the two candidates for Vice President debated, and people had a hard time with them continually agreeing with one another.
People tune in and expect an argument, and we get bored and are let down when things are harmonious. And furthermore, we have a hard time considering that two people with different political affiliations, approaches, or experiences can hold like-minded values; we want to put people’s viewpoints in distinct and separate boxes.
We know that the world is not so black and white. Yet, it doesn’t stop us from focusing on what is different – more so than what we have in common – even at our family tables at the holidays, in our neighborhoods (checked “Nextdoor” threads lately?) and our local communities.
If you’ve been following our recent articles, we have talked about how important it is to slow down enough to find what is shared. I say slow down enough because rarely we think we have enough time to prioritize this practice of seeking to understand. It requires a level of intention that most people gloss over, when in fact we do have the time if we’re all in the same community.
Most of the time we assume that if we’re all here to help address an issue, we must be like-minded. But as we know all too well during this most recent political season, there are multiple ways people think about getting to similar outcomes. There are many approaches, and just as many people who are adamant that their way is the right way.
But before a conversation about strategy even takes place, you can prevent a lot of headache and strife by identifying common values. And following up with gaining clarity on “What does that mean to you?” “What does it look like in action?” and “How would you define it?”
Activities for groups that focus on values before strategies form tighter bonds, move into and through strategy conversations quicker, and are able to adapt to the inevitable changes that will come about as the landscape changes. When landscape changes, strategies often need revising, but values stay the same.
We encourage you to use our Values as a Decision Making Tool template (or revisit Annie’s step-wise process HERE) within your team or collaborative group. If you want more information, please reach out to us on how we’ve used this in a variety of communities and contexts. Even if the work is underway, it is always a good time to lift up and elevate common values…whether it is election season or not.
