Many years ago, I wanted to apply for a job that I had no experience in but had a ton of enthusiasm and interest for.
I was incredibly lucky that the hiring manager said he would much rather hire for attitude than skills. His belief was you could learn the skills if you had the interest, but it was much harder to develop the ‘right’ attitude if you had the skills.
This stayed with me and has played a vital role in shaping my business.
The biggest challenge I faced when I decided to start my own coaching and facilitation company was finding the clients. All around me the advice was to ‘find my niche’ – decide if you will coach women or men, aspiring leaders or senior execs, small businesses or big organisations.
I found this hard because I feel I can, and would like to, support all those categories and so something in me resisted the pressure to choose.
The only thread I could comfortably land on was, values. I wanted to work with people and organisations that shared my values. This doesn’t mean I don’t want to or can’t manage a challenge, far from it, rather it means that at the core, those people I work with and for, have at their core shared values of mine (listed below).
The result of this decision is that whilst my work may not always be easy, it is constantly fulfilling. I finish calls feeling energised, I deliver a team day and feel excited for the future of those I’ve worked with. I like everyone I work with, and I enjoy spending time with them.
Being values led about my niche benefits not only me as a coach, but also creates more meaningful and impactful relationships with my clients.
I have found that I naturally attract those who resonate with my approach which leads to more authentic and productive coaching relationships. Instead of limiting myself to a specific demographic, my values-based approach allows me to work with a diverse range of clients while maintaining a consistent core philosophy.
Additionally, I have found that clients who align with my values are more likely to commit to the coaching process and achieve lasting results.
Many people find it challenging to articulate their core values when asked. If you're unsure about your own, don't worry – you're not alone. To help you get started, I've included some prompts below to stimulate your thinking. It's common to end up with a long list of values when you first begin this process, as many things are important to us.
I've found it helpful to consolidate related values under one key word. This approach keeps your values concise and memorable. To illustrate this, let me share my own core values:
Kindness: At the heart of my interactions lies kindness. It's not just about being nice; it's about embracing compassion, exercising patience, and genuinely investing in others. Kindness is the thread that weaves empathy into every conversation and action.
Integrity: Integrity forms the backbone of my character. It encompasses more than just honesty; it's about living authentically, speaking truthfully, and communicating with clarity and directness. Integrity ensures that my words and actions always align.
Curiosity: Curiosity fuels my continuous growth. It's the driving force behind my open-mindedness, my insatiable interest in the world around me, and my passion for problem-solving. Curiosity keeps me learning, adapting, and innovating.
By grouping related concepts under these broader terms, I've created a set of values that are easy to remember and apply in daily life. As you think about your own values, consider how you might group your important principles under broader, more encompassing terms.
This exercise can help you distil your values into a powerful, personal set of guiding principle;
Reflect on significant experiences and meaningful moments in your life. Consider what was happening and what values you were honouring during those times?
Think about times when you felt angry, frustrated or upset. What values were being suppressed in those situations?
Ask yourself questions like:
What brings me joy and fulfilment?
What principles do I hold dear?
What do I want to be remembered for?
What actions or behaviours do I admire most in others?
Check out Brene Browns list of values on her website for some ideas. Go with your gut, pick 10 then try and narrow down to 3. https://brenebrown.com/resources/dare-to-lead-list-of-values/
You can come back and re-evaluate any time – this isn’t necessarily a one and done!
If you would like to know more about how our values impact our actions, choices and behaviour, both consciously and unconsciously please get in touch, this is absolutely where coaching can help.
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