Exploring the impact of personal values on leadership and teamwork.

Drawing from models such as love languages and core strengths, Gemma and Fi emphasise the importance of understanding the values that drive both ourselves and others, as misalignment can lead to friction in working relationships.

The discussion offers practical advice on how to navigate value differences within teams. For example, understanding a colleague’s preference for action ("do it now") or precision ("do it right") can help create more cohesive and productive teams.

Fi also introduces simple, practical techniques, such as pausing and asking "what does good look like?" to align team expectations and avoid misunderstandings.

The episode concludes with practical steps for raising self-awareness and appreciating diverse perspectives to drive better strategic outcomes.

Key Points Discussed:

• How personal values affect leadership and teamwork.
• The role of "love languages" in understanding different value systems.
• The importance of recognising and accommodating different work styles.
• Using tools like core strengths and values models to foster better collaboration.
• Practical tips for aligning team expectations and improving outcomes.

Key Timestamps:

[02:32] – the concept of love languages in a professional context.

[04:45] – how differing personal values influence work relationships.

[07:46] – Fi introduces five key approaches to work: "Do it now", "Do it right", "Do it together", "Do it this way", and "Do it in harmony".

[09:38] – Gemma shares how her preferred approach affects her work and interactions.

[15:28] – Introduction of the Core Strengths model and its application in team settings.

[20:32] – Tips for translating values awareness into daily leadership practice.

[23:01] – Fi’s practical tool: Asking "what does good look like?" to align team expectations.

[25:21] – Exploration of the 5 Drivers (Be Strong, Be Perfect, Hurry Up, Please Others, and Try Hard) and how they influence individual behaviour at work.(Kahler, 1975)

Key Takeaway:

Understanding and respecting diverse personal values is crucial for effective leadership and teamwork. By recognising individual drivers, leaders can create more cohesive, strategic, and harmonious teams, ultimately leading to better collaboration and outcomes.

FREE RESOURCES

Check out Gemma’s blog post for more insights on this topic

Download a copy of Gemma's self-assessment tool, inspired by the Core Strengths tool mentioned in this episode

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If you have questions about anything we've been talking about, or need guidance on strategic leadership, we'd love to hear from you.

Feel free to contact us via www.gemmabullivant.co.uk (Gemma) or www.wearegoodthinking.co.uk (Fiona). Your queries could inspire future episodes to help you become a more strategic leader.