Values are a reflection of what we is most important to us in life. They are our personal guiding principles; they determine a person’s belief on what is wrong and what is good, what is fair and what is unjust, and also mirror how rooted one is to a given set of beliefs and also how one feels about a given set of societal issues (Hollinger, n.d). Whereas it is natural to have plans for short term aspirations and that are particular to specific situations, for example, participating in a racing event, or eyeing a job promotion, values are life-long ambitions and that are not exclusive to any given situation. Value systems steer the human conduct in all viewpoints of life, for example, one’s work life, social life, and even home life (Hollinger, n.d).
With regard to the delineation above, my guiding principles include respect, integrity, justice, equity, and servant leadership. To begin with, respect refers to a feeling of admiration for the desirable qualities and values that one possesses. Respect also entails honoring those around us by showing concern, care, and being considerate to how they feel, and also their needs. On the other hand, integrity denotes consistent and hardnosed observance of ethical and moral values and principles. Additionally, one is said to be just when he/she maintains a fair approach towards protection of the rights of others, and when they follow the right procedures to seeing that the wrongdoers are reprimanded for their immoral deeds. Equity on its side implies the virtue of being impartial and fair in all dealings. The last personal value, servant leadership, encompasses the disposition of selflessness, love, service to other humans and ethical conduct.
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Justification of the reason that each value is important helps advance this discussion. First, values help one to develop and grow. Values help us attain emotional growth and development by helping carve out the future that we desire (Schwartz, 2011). People instinctively make several decisions and which are a reflection of their beliefs and values. Moreover, these decisions are sometimes directed towards addressing specific situations. The purposes that these decisions serve are representative of the satisfaction and that is crucial to the realization of emotional growth and development. For example, when one decides to be just for the purpose of seeing a just society in future, their purpose is served when justice becomes a core principle of their societies.
Secondly, values also help one appreciate the fact that people can be different from us; hence, helping one to understand others better (Schwartz, 2010). Respect enables one to be considerate of the choices that others make, helps avoid misunderstandings, distrust, and frustrations. Also, equity enables one to be more tolerant of the choices that others make, and also helps one embrace the fact that people, regardless of the decisions they make, could be right in their own way.
Finally, values also bring people together. Values tell someone how to conduct oneself if you want to be accepted, venerated, and respected within a group or even society. The more one aligns his or her with the sets of values that a group or society observes, the more likely they are to become popular and accepted within such groups. Moreover, values such as servant leadership have the capacity to unite one to those that they serve. It is also God’s desire that we respectful, be people of integrity, be just, and also serve others. Regarding justice, Micah 6:8 (New King James Version) says, “He has shown you…your God.” On servant leadership, Deuteronomy 15:11 (New King James Version) says, “There will always be poor people in the land…needy in your land.”
Apart from justification of the reason that each value is important, it is also important to extend this discussion by focusing on the reasons as to why respect, integrity, justice, equity and servant leadership are personally important to me. To begin with, I have been a victim of several injustices and acts of disrespect at some point in life, and it is therefore not my wish to see anybody else go through the same. Secondly, it has always been my wish to give back to my society; hence, my desire for servant leadership. Finally, integrity helps create a culture of accountability and transparency.
References
Hollinger, T.D. (n.d). Placing Christ at the center of Christian leadership values. Inner Resources for Leaders. https://www.regent.edu/acad/global/publications/innerresources/vol2iss3/hollinger.pdf
Schwartz, S.H. (2010). Basic values: how they motivate and inhibit prosocial behavior. Basic Values. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shalom_Schwartz/publication/255648989_Basic_Values_How_They_Motivate_and_Inhibit_Prosocial_Behavior/links/00b495375dabcaf5a0000000.pdf
Schwartz, S.H. (2011). Studying values: personal adventure, future directions. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 42 (2), 307-319
