Understanding your value.

It is unfortunate that most people don't really understand the value they offer. I mean real value. Value is often measured on what we do, how we do it and what we think people want or expect from us. This orientation of our value becomes problematic because we lose confidence in who we are when our real value is mis-aligned with what we are doing.

“When you know value, you can help others see it too”

For most of my career I was promoted into roles that were managing people and product. Because of this I became certain that it was the role of a manager where I added the most value. So I pursued a career in people management. This was a space that I felt energised in and enjoyed the various tensions that the role  provided. For my part I would describe it as a happy accident and in no way was I able to articulate how and where I was adding value, so, I just kept showing up doing what I was doing. It wasn’t until I was faced with the trauma of a role demotion that I challenged my thinking about where I added value. It became clear to me that I needed to ask different questions of myself to understand where I was really adding value. Part of this journey was asking people I trusted where they thought it was that I added value, the answer that kept coming back to me was in coaching and mentoring. From this I made a significant career change and now coach and mentor in my own business. I am clear about where I add the most value for those I work with, and others constantly reinforce this too.

From my experience there are some things that are helpful in understanding when I am adding value:

·         Things are easy, energising and fulfilling

·         There will be a sense of joy

·         Feedback from others will be positive, clear, and consistent

·         There will be no confusion and I will make sense to others

·         There will be no chance of second guessing myself

To help be clear about where I added value, I found the following helpful:

·         Understanding and developing my strengths

·         Increasing my learning and character development

·         Knowing my values and how they motivate me

·         Becoming more self-aware

·         Asking questions of others that help me see the best of me

·         Asking questions of others that help me understand how I have helped them

Ultimately, knowing our value is a journey of understanding the best of ourselves and how we use that to help others. The more we understand about where we add value, makes it easier for us to help others see that value in us.

My 5 Learnings:

·       My value is not determined by what others think of me

·       If I don’t understand my value, I allow circumstances to determine it for me

·         I need to be clear about where I add value so I can help others see it

·       Knowing my value will prevent me from mis aligning my opportunities

·       Knowing my strengths, values and purpose will help me understand and live my full value 

Remember to be intentional about seeking out opportunities that align with where you will add the most value so you can live a more fulfilled life.

My 3 Questions for you:

·       Where do you add the most value?

·       How have you been measuring your value?

·       When was the last time you asked someone close to you where they saw your value?

“Try not to become a person of success. Rather become a person of value.”

― Albert Einstein

If you need help with identifying your value, or if you have questions, please talk to me. I would be happy to chat with you and help.

 Remember daily to, “Find value in your influence”

Written By: Paul Fawcett.