Your Values. Are You Aligned?

Your values  form the foundation on which you perform work and conduct yourselves. … The core values are the basic elements of how you go about your work

 but when it comes to sports, you should remind yourself some of your values might be compromised and that’s when problems can occur.  They may present a list of values but are these real values or hollow values?

For example if one of your values is respect, for yourself and others, yet your manager fails to treat you with respect, there will be an internal conflict for you to work out and raises questions like, shall I stay or should I go, Shall I mention it to my manager, shall I keep quiet because If I say something I will be thrown off the team….

Let’s consider a few values that should be included in all sports delivery

Accountability

Consistency

Determined

Disciplined

Growth

Professionalism

Self-worth

Team work

Courage

Understanding

You will interpret each of these values in your own way based on your past experiences and so will everyone else.  It’s unfair to assume your interpretation of professionalism is the same as one of your team mates.  Its unfair to assume your interpretation of growth is the same as your manager’s, which brings us to the importance of communication.

Without conversations and dialogue and specific questions, teams and individuals can quickly lose focus so let’s look at three important questions any player should be encouraged to ask to help them understand the values of themselves and the team:-

1) What can I do differently to help the team?

2) What is the one strength I have that you can count on that helps the team?

3) What works when we are winning?
Consider what your three core values are and ask yourself if you’re aligned with them or does something need to change?