Values

Have you ever felt inner conflict? Wrestled with your conscience? Taken a decision or choice that made you feel very uncomfortable? Felt unable to make a decision? Been pulled in different directions? Said one thing but done another? Chances are you have and chances are that's because of a conflict of values within yourself.

All choices are influenced by values. You can make a decision that over-rides your personal values and there are consequences of doing so. Mentoring conversations enable you to discover more about your values - whether you are the mentor or being mentored!

Values determine what you believe is right or wrong, good or bad, worthwhile or not worthwhile. Values allow you to judge what is important. They are your personal priorities. Some are superficial and changeable - like fashion, where this seasons "must haves" soon become "soooo yesterday". Others are deeply held and not easily moved.

Values are an integral part of who you are. They motivate your aspirations, cause your lifestyle preferences, trigger behaviour and reflect your view of the world. Each of us has a dynamic system of personal values that guides our behaviour and some values are stronger than others. No two people will have exactly the same set of values in the same order of importance.

Values can buckle under pressure, be compromised or subordinated when human needs take precedence. Understanding your values gives you the courage and compassion to make choices about what you will attempt to change, what you will learn to live with and when you will leave a situation that is not right for you.

Mentoring conversations that allow you to deeply consider matters are a source of greater self-awareness and understanding. And, because mentors practice non-judgemental listening, they do not impose their own values but allow their mentoring partner to explore their own convictions. Mentors hold the attitude: "your values are neither right nor wrong, though they may be different from mine". Such conversations give insight to both the mentor and the person mentored. That's how mentoring works.