How to Manage When Values Clash

How we behave and how we think, how we solve problems and how we negotiate, how we work and how we play – all of these are influenced by our beliefs and our values.

We don't often think hard about the values that matter most to us, but this doesn't mean that they aren't hugely important in our lives.

Consider what your most important values are. Honesty, integrity, fairness, authenticity, and professionalism, for example?

Certainly, these are the qualities that we might assume most people would prioritize. But, dig a little deeper and you'll likely discover that not everyone shares the same set of values that you do. It might surprise you to learn that the values that matter most to you might barely register with your colleagues. You may even be perplexed by the things that they are passionate about.

For example, if one person cares most about hitting sales numbers, and another cares passionately about the quality of delivery, then there can be a real values clash if there are problems in the production process.

Mix in differing attitudes toward the identity or life choices of the people concerned, and a technical hitch can become an organizational crisis.

As a manager, you'll likely have to contend with values clashes in the workplace from time to time. They might happen between team members, between an individual and the organization, between a team member and a supplier or customer, or even between you and the work that you're given. Conflicts like these could become problematic, particularly if they're ignored.

This article shows you how to manage values clashes in the workplace, and how to find solutions that suit all parties.

What Are Values?

Values   are the beliefs and principles that underpin your day-to-day life. They represent what you consider to be important and insignificant, good and bad, right and wrong.

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