You have strong values. You won’t do anything to jeopardise your own ethics and standards.
Me too. But what would you do if communication and messages got all mixed up and resulted in you having to bend them to such an extent where you were left feeling uncomfortable?
You’d never let that happen? No. Neither would I. But I did. And completely oblivious of my own part until it was too late to change the path.
Nothing serious but it did leave me feeling a little angsts to say the least. But should it matter if it’s serious or not? Should we bend our values?
In fact, I had to run what happened and the content past a few people before someone said, ‘You colluded. Ask yourself why.’
Interesting. Colluded? Totally spot on. I wanted to please my client.
This wasn’t a major event but it has me questioning again how important our/my values are in our/my business.
My answer: crucial.
And on reflection I’m surprised this little test of mine hasn’t happened for a while. (It used to happen a lot when doing contract and funded work. Being asked to treat clients in a specific way did not sit well!)
Business tests your values.
If your values are strong I have no doubt you will live them, walk them and talk them.
Tests like the one above will come up every now and then.
When you’re solo, maybe when you’re just starting out, or perhaps when money is tight it’s tempting to take any work that comes your way. But should you accept what’s on offer if it doesn’t sit well with you?
I say no. I also say you have to make a living. You need to eat and pay your bills.
However.
I believe we should never forget what we are about.
To constantly review what we’re doing, how we are doing it, why we are doing it is an ongoing process.
To clearly define our values is crucial. To stand by then is vital.
There will be moments when you’re asked to put our money where your mouth is. When you have to decide what’s right for your long term business strategy and balancing it with the needs of the now. When you have to go through all aspects of your business from the top to the bottom and ask yourself ‘does this meet my values’? And if it doesn’t you need to address it.
Great businesses are built on solid foundations. Sure buildings move and bend from time to time. But to move them too far so that the structure is damaged forever isn’t a great idea.
When people come into your business who want you to bend your values, send them packing.
Values are a lifetime building up, and can take a second to destroy.
It’s not worth it. And even the smallest bends (like my own) will never sit right.
What do you think?
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