Tool Box Talk: Value, A person of Value

“Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value.” – Albert Einstein

This has to do with what our focus is on.

If we focus only on becoming “successful,” our human weaknesses may lead us to do things that seem expedient at the time, but, in the long run, may lead to failure, both in results and in character. It is a temptation to step on other people going up the “ladder of success.”

However, if our focus is on becoming a person of value, then we will almost surely develop a high quality of character and that will lead to success.

What are the qualities of a person of value?

First, a person of value is reliable and dependable. You know they can be counted on.

You know they will keep their word. If they say they will do something, then you know they will.

Second, a person of value usually is one who has worked to develop at least one skill and sometimes many that are useful and they are available to use those skills to help others.

Third, a person of value is others center. A person focused on just being a “success” is more likely to be self-centered.

The person of value, values others and, when we know someone values us, we appreciate them and are happy when they become successful.

So, focusing on becoming a person of value means focusing on developing skills that will enable us to be useful in meeting the needs of others and it means developing character qualities that are worthy of emulation, like dependability, trustworthiness, and caring about others more than ourselves.

Safety as a Value

When our actions are inconsistent with our values, we willingly make appropriate adjustments to align behaviour with value.

Thus, if safety is considered a value, the safest way of doing something becomes the standard against which on-going work practices are evaluated; and if an inconsistency is pointed out, behaviour is willingly changed.

If a person holds safety as a value, or at least accepts the notion that safety should be a value rather than a priority, then it’s relatively easy to increase behaviours consistent with this value and to decrease behaviours inconsistent with safety.

It starts with helping people understand what “safe and at-risk” behaviour is.

When we perform in certain ways because of external controls or threats we say we are doing it because we have to, not because we want to.

Under such circumstances we feel no obligation to adjust our inner self (including our beliefs and values) to conform to our outer self (our behaviour).

“The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival.” Aristotle

Thanks for the share, TO!