This video of Steve Jobs makes me think what are my core values and what I want people to know about them. How about my company’s core values?
It seems logical that when my core values or my company’s core values create a bond with a person’s identity, it takes a life of its own and these people will be attracted to me which is what most companies or people want.
The unintended consequence of this though is once I fixed and committed to my core values or my company’s core values and people come to me, I am going to reinforce it even more relentlessly with actions even when sometimes circumstances don’t apply.
While core values are important to align actions and create momentum and build deep engagement, once it gets to a state of no matter what I am going to hold on to it and worst yet done so unconsciously, it will only bring suffering.
How our mental model affects our current and future reality – An important systems thinking habit comes to mind as I was reflecting on this video of Steve Jobs.
Perhaps it is because I have been coaching for years, so when I witnessed how people are holding to their core values so tightly, I too became aware of my own inclination and realise the importance of releasing my grip on them. Miraculously the very awareness of this has loosened the holds of these core values on me.
Don’t hold anything too tightly especially our core values until the point that I don’t know how to let loose a little.
When it gets to that stage, the suffering will be so omnipresent that I don’t even know I am suffering, just like the fish looking for water.
In this regard, I think becoming a coddiwompler helps. Let the destination be vague, focus on the journey, enjoy the process and the company.
What do you think?