THE TWELVE CORE ACTION VALUES - Values Coach Inc.

420 Pages·2008·3.01 MB·English

THE TWELVE CORE
ACTION VALUES
Workbook for the Values Coach Guided
Self-Coaching Course
Created by JOE TYE,
Head Coach, Values Coach America

Dedication
For Sally. Happiness is being married to your
best friend.

Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Part 1: LAYING A SOLID FOUNDATION 11
Core Action Value #1: Authenticity 13
Self-Awareness 20
Self-Mastery 26
Self-Belief 32
Self-Truth 38
Core Action Value #2: Integrity 45
Honesty 50
Reliability 56
Humility 62
Stewardship 68
Core Action Value #3: Awareness 75
Mindfulness 82
Objectivity 88
Empathy 94
Refl ection 100
Core Action Value #4: Courage 107
Confrontation 114
Transformation 120
Action 126
Connection 132
Core Action Value #5: Perseverance 139
Preparation 146
Perspective 152
Toughness 158
Learning 166
Core Action Value #6: Faith 175
Gratitude 182
Forgiveness 188
Love 194
Spirituality 200
Part 2: TAKING EFFECTIVE ACTION 209
Core Action Value #7: Purpose 211
Aspiration 220
Intentionality 226
Selfl essness 232
Balance 238
Core Action Value #8: Vision 245
Attention 252
Imagination 258
Articulation 264
Belief 270
Core Action Value #9: Focus 279
Target 286
Concentration 292
Speed 298
Momentum 304
Core Action Value #10: Enthusiasm 311
Attitude 318
Energy 326
Curiosity 332
Humor 338
Core Action Value #11: Service 345
Helpfulness 352
Charity 360
Compassion 366
Renewal 372
Core Action Value #12: Leadership 379
Expectations 386
Example 394
Encouragement 400
Celebration 406
Conclusion 413
THE TWELVE CORE ACTION VALUES 1
Introduction
A guide for making The Twelve Core Action Values
your roadmap to a rich and rewarding life
I know something about you, something you might not even know about yourself:
You have good solid values. You intuitively know the right thing to do in most situ-
ations, and you want to be able to take pride in who you are and what you do. If
you’re like almost everyone else in this world, here’s something else I know about
you: You haven’t really taken the time to specify what your core values are, much
less the actions you can take to do a better job of living those values. You haven’t
seriously refl ected upon how those values should be refl ected in the goals you set
and in the choices you make, nor have you thought about how you would make
a decision in situations where you could honor one value but not another. Fur-
thermore, if you’re like virtually everyone else, there is a gap (perhaps a wide gap)
between what you say your values are and what the proverbial Man from Mars
would observe in your attitudes and in your behaviors.
If I’ve described your situation, I have good news for you: The Twelve Core Action
Values are your values. I know that because these values are universal and eter-
nal; they have been honored in each of the world’s major cultures for thousands of
years. It doesn’t matter what your political affi liation, religious beliefs, or national
heritage is: these are your values. By the time we complete this course, you will
agree with that statement. Before we began, let’s defi ne what we mean by “values,”
a term that has been greatly misused in recent years. True values run much deeper
than cultural traditions, political slogans, or business goals. Here’s my defi nition:
Core Value (noun):
A deeply-internalized philosophical guide that profoundly in-
fl uences goal-setting, decision-making, confl ict resolution, and
more generally how one lives one’s life.
For this course, we will be adding the word “action” to this defi nition: unless val-
ues are acted upon, they are nothing more than good intentions. In recent years,
we’ve seen too many examples in the worlds of business, politics, and religion of
2 INTRODUCTION
people talking a good talk about their values, but then failing to act upon them,
often to the detriment of their organizations and to the people who have trusted in
their leadership. Action is the distinction between good intentions and real contri-
butions.
Action (verb)
The process of exerting energy (emotional and physical) direct-
ed toward the accomplishment of a desired change or goal.
For each of The Twelve Core Action Values there are four cornerstones. This is
how we put action into those values, making them real in our attitudes and in our
behaviors. This study guide will give you practical and proven ideas and strategies
for living your values. And it comes with this promise: the more conscientious you
are about living these values, the more successful you will be at achieving your
most important goals, and the happier and more fulfi lled you will be as a human
being.
Before we get started, let me warn you that this course does not prescribe an easy
“silver bullet” path to instant success and infi nite wealth. Quite to the contrary,
the journey will be tough and demanding. It will require hard work on your part.
You’ll be challenged mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. You will make incred-
ible progress one day, only to be discouraged by fi nding yourself backsliding the
next day. You’ll be tempted to quit, probably more than once. Be ready for all of
these things—they are just part of the process. Your frustration will not kill you, it
will make you stronger.
There’s something else you need to be ready for. What you learn through this course,
if you take it seriously, might scare you. Introspection can always be frightening, and
this course demands lots of introspection. The most frightening thing of all might be
when the “you” of today comes face-to-face with the “you” that could be, the “you”
that you are meant to be. We’ll be taking the basket off a candle that you’ve carefully
kept covered up all these years, and exposing the incredible potential of that shin-
ing inner light of yours. When the “you who is” comes face-to face with the “you who
could be,” it can be intimidating, so prepare yourself now to confront that fear with
courage and determination. It can also be liberating and exhilarating.
THE TWELVE CORE ACTION VALUES 3
The structure of this curriculum
Each of the 60 modules in this study guide will follow a consistent format. First
we’ll outline our goal for that module, and illustrate it with a short story or anec-
dote. Then I’ll share essential ideas and actions for living that value, plus several
Rules for the Journey. We’ll conclude with a take-home exercise and a suggestion
for further reading. Here is an outline of the anatomy of the course—the contin-
uum that links the process of internalizing and operationalizing your values with
the achievement of your goals in the real world:
Core Values
The why that motivates personal transformation and galvanizes action toward
authentic dreams and goals.
Cornerstones
The what that makes core values become real by making them actionable
and observable.
Action Steps
The how of achievement—without action, even the best of values are
nothing more than good intentions.
Outcomes
The where of achievement, the new destination arrived at as a re-
sult of working with and living your values.
The power of The Twelve Core Action Values curriculum lies in this structure. Phi-
losophy backed up by action, theory reinforced by experience. While the curricu-
lum rests on a rock-solid theoretical foundation, the emphasis from start to fi nish
will be on practical action strategies which at the end of the day will help you be
more effective in just about every facet of your life and work. This course will help
you make the changes in your beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that are necessary
for you to achieve your goals and your dreams. Here’s a preview of the course out-
line, including some of the benefi ts you will realize for each value:
4 INTRODUCTION
Core Action Values 1-6: Laying a Solid Foundation
Core Action Value #1: Authenticity
You will gain a greater sense of who you are, and of who you are meant to
be; you will learn practical strategies to overcome the inner barriers that are
holding you back, and to build the solid self-belief that is required for you to
become that meant-to-be person.
Core Action Value #2: Integrity
To be considered a person of integrity is the highest honor. I’ll share specifi c
actions you can take so that you never become your own worst enemy, but
rather earn the sense of pride (and the reputation) that come from knowing
that you always do the right thing.
Core Action Value #3: Awareness
This is a foundation of both emotional intelligence and spiritual peace; you
will learn disciplines that will help you enhance your ability to more accurately
and objectively observe what’s going on within you and around you.
Core Action Value #4: Courage
You will learn to identify the fears that are holding you back, how to make
those fears work for you and not against you, and how to confront the dragon
of fear with the sword of determination.
Core Action Value #5: Perseverance
You’ll learn practical strategies to prepare for adversity, and for confronting
the inevitable obstacles and setbacks with mental toughness and a positive
perspective.
Core Action Value #6: Faith
Throughout history, faith has been the most powerful form of human motiva-
tion. I’ll show you how, whatever your religious beliefs happen to be, you can
reinforce the power of faith in yourself, in your future, and in a power that is
beyond human sight.