Acting in Alignment
This method helps individuals connect their core values to their actions, fostering authenticity and self-awareness. Participants explore their values, reflect on past behaviors, and create an action plan for future alignment.
Use this method when you want to help a team or group become more aware of their values and how those values influence their decisions and behaviors, especially when aiming for increased authenticity and alignment.
Solves: Disconnection between espoused values and actual behavior, leading to decreased trust and engagement.
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Step 1: Imagination (15 mins) - Guide participants through a visualization exercise, prompting them to imagine their ideal world and note down key words and ideas related to their values.
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Step 2: Value Map (15 mins) - Provide participants with a list of values (e.g., Brené Brown's Dare to Lead list) and have them select 7-10 core values that resonate with them.
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Step 3: Reflective Alignment (15 mins) - Ask participants to reflect on two challenging situations from the past 3-6 months: one where they acted in alignment with their values and one where they did not. Have them note down what happened and how they acted.
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Step 4: Pairing, Sharing & Mirroring (15 mins) - Pair participants and have them share their reflections with each other. The listener should practice active listening and then mirror back what they heard without adding personal opinions.
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Step 5: Authentic Micro Planning (25 mins) - Have participants individually identify 1-2 specific situations they anticipate encountering soon where staying aligned with their values might be challenging. They should then write down at least one concrete action they can take to remain true to their values in those moments. Bring the group together in a circle and have each person share one planned action.
- Create a safe and supportive environment where participants feel comfortable sharing their reflections.
- Emphasize that the mirroring exercise is not a discussion or feedback session, but rather an opportunity for active listening and reflection.
- Use different visualization prompts for the imagination exercise.
- Have participants create a visual representation of their value map instead of just listing them.