April, 2025 | 4min read
Could your core values actually be holding you back?
I got to explore this idea during a powerful session with the management team at Catholic Crosscultural Services (CCS). This group was on FIRE 🔥.
Over 40 participants. Extraordinary connection. Massive value.
Watch the highlight reel
Kathy (HR leader) and I had been speaking for well over a year, trying to find the right opportunity for me to serve the team at CCS. She’s been great – such a pleasure partnering with her!
Timing matters. And so does playing the long game when it comes to relationship-building. I’m always in it for the long haul.
It just so happened that when the timing WAS right, we had a hyper-focused and engaged group that was hungry for training and development.
And most of them laughed at my cheesy jokes during the session – BONUS! No bribes were made. 😁
This is also where I bumped into my old/new friend Klara. She knew me and my Mom from our days of working together at Achev.
Klara came up and re-introduced herself, reminded me that she’s seen my career evolve/grow over the years … and then … how she still remembers working with my Mom with some kind words to follow.
It took me a minute to get my emotions back in check but wow, what a meaningful way to kick off this session. My emotional intelligence was in full swing. Specifically, self-awareness and self-regulation.
You can read more about re-connecting with Klara here: MEET MY NEW OLD FRIEND KLARA.
Values blindspots
When it came time to smaller group discussions, one of the questions I asked was simple and powerful – around potential barriers, drawbacks or blind spots of values.
When I’m coaching leaders in a 1:1 capacity, I spend some time unpacking barriers and blindspots.
I could see eyes and ears perk up that much more as someone asked, what’s the blindspot for Integrity.
You see, as I continue to evolve my approach to leadership development, team engagement and coaching, I’ve realized that we don’t see the world as it is. We see the world from our perspective that’s based on experiences, triggers, trauma, successes, wins, etc.
Which means, life and perspective isn’t black or white, rather a whole lot of grey. I’m not talking 50 shades of grey – don’t make this weird 😁.
The same is true for our values.
If not managed well, barriers, drawbacks or blind spots will show up for our values. Context (the grey) for each value is critical.
Take stock of your core values.
As you identify how they benefit your life, consider answering the question:
- What are potential barriers, drawbacks or blind spots of this value if not managed well?
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Blindspots for common (leadership) values
Here are some values with their associated blind spots. I’m curious to know how this lands for you:
Health/Wellness/Fitness
- Prioritizing health to the point where emotional or mental well-being is negatively impacted.
- Expecting others to live up to the same/similar health or wellness standards.
- Trying to stick to strict routines even when life happens and other important situations come up.
Integrity
- Being too rigid in your ways may limit adaptability.
- Holding others to the same moral standards to your own.
- Thinking ‘black/white’ and not realizing or appreciating the ‘grey’ which is often learned through context and situational awareness
Empathy
- Absorbing others’ emotions may lead to burnout.
- Focusing on others’ feelings may make it difficult to hold necessary conversations.
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Ultimately, when we don’t keep our values in check, they can trip us up – leading to decisions that don’t quite land, strained relationships, or even holding ourselves back without realizing it.
So, here’s my invitation – take stock of your values.
➤ Where could a blindspot be quietly shaping your decisions?
I’d love to hear from you – Drop me a note, leave a comment.
CONQUER YOUR POTENTIAL
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