This past semester I was able to facilitate a course on leadership for undergraduate students at the University of Toledo and we discussed values. The past few weeks in my supervision group we have talked about values. The topic has come up because sometimes the values of an organization where a social worker is employed do not align with the social worker's values. I think this is something we should all be more aware of as we think through opportunities, do the primary values of the organization align with our own? While a social worker may be trying to do good, there can be constant tension between values and practice. As social workers seek to live out their values in their professional work, it is emotionally taxing to work an environment that doesn't support those values or even undermines them.
I also feel like values is another area that doesn't get the recognition it should in regards to burnout. While I don't think value misalignment is the signal factor that leads to burnout, it does play a role in burnout.
It is not always easy to identify your values. We don't talk about them in everyday conversation. You may have some vague idea about what you value, but verbalizing it may be difficult not to mention prioritizing your values. Values can be seen very clearly when we are environments that are conflict our values. You may not realize that you really hold the value of protecting the environment until you are in a workplace that refuses to recycle. Sure you recycle at home and do little things to eliminate waste, but it isn't until you are faced with the conflict do you realize how how the value is.
We should all be taking time in critical self-reflection to better understand ourselves and our values. Values denote worth. Values drive our behaviors. We make time for what we value. Having a better understanding of this can help us better evaluate and select opportunities that are more aligned with our values.
So, what are your values?
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