Introduction:
Our values reflect what is important to us in our lives. The influence and guide our behaviour in all situations and interactions with our environment, be it social, cultural, or natural. Our values control how we feel about things, both positively and negatively, depending on whether the current situation conforms with our values or goes against them. This evaluation also guides our behaviours in all situations and reflects our most desired mode of existence or end state of being.
Therefore, it is highly important to understand one’s own values during times of crisis and unprecedented challenges to us and our social and natural environments. If we can understand our own values and how these influence us then we begin to comprehend why we and others act and behave in the way they do and why all reactions are right reactions, they just might differ from one’s own, as others hold different values as most important than we do ourselves.
Source: The Values Project 2019
Our basic values:
The above values circle, developed by Professor Schwartz in 1992, shows the 11 basic human values and their relationship to each other around a continuum. These values are related or compatible if they are in close proximity to each other and incompatible if they are at the opposing side of the circle. Further, our values can be sub-divided into four higher order values dimensions that are representative of the values belonging to them and are in direct competition with the opposing values dimension. Here we find Self-enhancement, values that promote the furtherance of the self, seeking power and achievement, even at the expense of others, opposing Self-transcendence where the values reflect the care and consideration of those close to us, society as a whole and our natural habitat.
The other opposing values dimension reflect Openness to change (those values that reflect autonomy and daring behaviours) contrasting Conservation values, where individuals seek safety and security through conforming to already existing norms and directions.
The graph below shows how these values differ in importance for Australians (see What Do We Value? by The Values Project 2019).
Source: The Values Project 2019
As can be clearly seen in this graph, our values priorities vary greatly amongst our population and are as a whole representative of the values importance that was found around the globe. It is important to note though that each individual possess all of these values, however the importance of these varies greatly from person to person.
It is also significant that each of these values can be primed in us, that is these values take on temporarily increased importance, in particular in situations that affect one of these values strongly and if none of our other important values are challenged by the situation.
In light of the current crisis, the below introduction to what our basic values mean, how they are likely to influence us during the COVID-19 crisis and what might be relevant to know coming out of this, both for individuals as well as for employers in this new future we are all facing.
Benevolence
The value of benevolence is reflected in a person’s attributed importance to the welfare of those that are close to them or are in frequent contact with. When individuals are high on Benevolence then they are generally seen as caring, empathic and dependable. This is a value that is likely to be primed during the crisis.
How is this likely to affect us during the pandemic?
For people who place high importance on this value, the current pandemic represents a direct threat to what they consider to be most important for their lives. Covid-19 directly threatens those that we love and are close to us and therefore are likely to infuse high anxiety amongst this values group. Despite this, a lockdown might be easier for high benevolence people to endure, as they are spending extended time with their loved ones, as long as they feel that these people are safe.
How is this likely to affect us after the pandemic?
For those that were lucky enough not to be directly affected by the virus, it is likely that these individuals will be highly appreciative of the crisis not only passing but in particular that it did not have a direct dire affect on those that they are in frequent contact with and are close to. Benevolence type individuals are likely to remain sceptical of eased restrictions and might continue to self-impose measures that they feel will keep their loved ones safe.
What should employers be aware of?
Employees who are high on the Benevolence value are likely to be reluctant to return to work unless they can be completely certain that this will not further endanger their friends and families. Appropriate measures should be taken to transform any work environment into a safe place where no additional threats to the loved ones can be picked up. Alternatively, the current working from home arrangements are likely to best suit this particular values group.
Universalism – societal
Possibly one of the most relevant and affected values is Universalism-societal, where individuals that adhere high importance to this value are predominantly concerned with the welfare of the many, social justice and equality, as well as tolerance for and protection of those that share our broader living spaces. This is a value that is intentionally primed by our institutions to ensure we are all aware of the increased risks to some groups in our society.
How is this likely to affect us during the pandemic?
People high on this particular value will have a very high concern for the high-risk groups and that institutions take all appropriate measures to keep everyone safe and out of harm’s way, even if that is to the detriment of their own personal freedoms. The lockdown might be tolerated more easily by this values group as they understand that their responsible behaviour will help keeping others safe.
How is this likely to affect us after the pandemic?
Individuals who are high on the Universalism-societal value are most likely to continue with actions and demands for better preparedness of society as a whole in an effort to avoid a repeat of a similar or indeed any crisis that might affect the people around them. Similarly to the Benevolence value, individuals that have a high regard for the safety of all people are prone to continue with self-imposed safety measures.
What should employers be aware of?
Organisations that have a large number of employees who are highly valuing Universalism-Societal, or are operating is a space that is concerned with or dependent on the social wellbeing should take particular efforts in explicitly stating social responsibilities in their values statements and external stakeholder engagement campaigns. Further, they should be seen to actively engage in measures that are designed to safekeep high-risk groups.
Universalism – nature
Individuals who place high importance on the Universalism-nature value seek to preserve nature, its natural resources, and the beauty contained within. These individuals have a high regard for animals and take active measures to protect the living world.
How is this likely to affect us during thepandemic?
Universalism-nature people would be strongly affected by suggestions that the virus originated, at least in part, due to the erosion of natural habitats of wild animals and their forced closeness to human beings. This is likely to support and strengthen their claims for natural preservation and to implement policies that would prevent a similar outbreak to occur again.
How is this likely to affect us after the pandemic?
Having been reinforced in their steadfast believe that the preservation of nature is detrimental for the continuance and development of human kind and its natural environment, Universalism-nature individuals are likely strengthened in their resolve to protect the environment and to seek a harmonious coexistence with the fauna within.
What should employers be aware of?
Employees who highly value the preservation of our natural habitat are likely to support organisations that espouse their support for the protection of our natural environments and take steps to implement policies and procedures that reflect such a pro-environmental attitude.
Self-direction
Self-directed people favour circumstances that allow them to express their own opinions and seek their own course through creativity and independent thought and actions.
How is this likely to affect us during thepandemic?
Those that highly value autonomy of thought and actions are likely severely impacted by the public restrictions imposed on them to realise their desires. Restrictions of any kind would feel especially hard for those who itch to explore the world around them. Many would seek to express their creativity and inventiveness through newly discovered avenues at home.
How is this likely to affect us after the pandemic?
The eventual easing of restrictions is likely to re-enforce the desire to explore and express self-direction in all forms possible. Particularly entrepreneurship and creative originality might experience an enforced rush by these people who have been deprived of such expressions through out the lockdowns.
What should employers be aware of?
An organisation that has individuals who highly value the self-direction might be able to benefit from the urge of these employees to explore new possibilities and might be able to direct these vitalities into the development of new ideas or strategies.
Stimulation
Those that attribute high importance to stimulation often seek exciting and challenging environments and situations. They thrive on novelty, variety and adventure.
How is this likely to affect us during thepandemic?
Individuals that need excitement and stimulation in their lives would be especially affected by the restrictions imposed on them. They are likely to explore any possibility to experience any novelty in their re-occurring routines and might spend considerable time with making plans of what might or will be after these restrictions are lifted.
How is this likely to affect us after the pandemic?
Those who highly value stimulation in their lives are very likely to release all of the pent-up energies they have accumulated during the lockdown in any way or form that they can.
What should employers be aware of?
Employees with a stimulation values priority could prove very valuable when being tasked with new directions or strategies that allow them to experience new challenges or organisational change that might result from the new realities.
Hedonism
Hedonism values foster the need for personal and sensual gratification and the desire for self-indulgence and enjoyment.
How is this likely to affect us during thepandemic?
Hedonistic individuals are likely to suffer from the removal of opportunities to go out and enjoy themselves through normally available entertainment. They are likely to get bored even more easily with the available options of gratification or indulgence.
How is this likely to affect us after the pandemic?
Individuals high on the hedonism value are likely to seek to catch up on all the enjoyment and entertainment they were missing throughout the restrictions. They are likely to play a big and important part in restarting the economy in particular by visiting bars and restaurants and other venues of entertainment.
What should employers be aware of?
Hedonistic employees are more likely to favour work-life balanced work arrangements that provides them with additional freedom to fulfill their desires. These individuals provide relevant organisations with an excellent target segment for exciting and gratuitous entertainment.
Achievement
People who highly value achievement in their lives are motivated by personal success in accordance to social ideals and the opportunity to demonstrate their achievements to others.
How is this likely to affect us during thepandemic?
These individuals are likely to be strongly affected by the missed opportunities that result from the social and economic restrictions. Many might utilise their extra time to devise plans and strategies to turn the negative impact of the virus into a personal gain for themselves and the wider economy once restrictions are eased.
How is this likely to affect us after the pandemic?
After the easing of restrictions, achievement-oriented individuals are likely to invest extra effort to recover lost opportunities and to seek new ways of expressing their success to others.
What should employers be aware of?
Achievement type people are likely to invest extra effort in order to support their organisations to recover quickly and prosperously from the crisis and might be particularly suitable to take on demanding and challenging tasks that offer them the chance to improve their wealth and social standing.
Power
People valuing power seek dominance over others and over resources. They strive to achieve high social status, accumulate wealth and exert authority.
How is this likely to affect us during thepandemic?
Those that seek dominance over others and resources are likely to suffer the consequences of not being able to interact with subordinates or business associates. They might contrive ways of how to stay in control of an evolving situation and to retain their influence over others, even if they are physically removed.
How is this likely to affect us after the pandemic?
These people will likely attempt to regain their previous roles and status amongst peers and their communities, this may occur in business or in society. Should they have lost some or all of their previous status and power than it is likely that they will attempt to regain their previous standing as fast as possible.
What should employers be aware of?
Employees that highly value power are likely to react negatively to any changes in their roles or status due to the economic hardship that many organisations went through. They are, however, well suited to rebuild power and prestige of and within organisations.
Security
Individuals that highly value security are motivated by circumstances that enable us to live safely at home and in our society. Those individuals favour stability, harmony and risk-free environments. This value was primed in all of us during the current crisis.
How is this likely to affect us during the pandemic?
The prevalent situation would cause higher levels of stress and anxiety for those who value security highly in their lives. They would be strongly and adversely affected by the direct threat to their wellbeing and the safety of society in general. They are likely to strongly support any means that would help to mitigate their safety concerns and would strongly advocate compliance with the social distancing rules.
How is this likely to affect us after the pandemic?
People high on this particular value will be the most careful to return to normality after the initial crisis has ended and are likely to avoid any remaining risks. It is also likely that these individuals would seek to prepare themselves in ways that would keep them safer in a reoccurrence of such a crisis.
What should employers be aware of?
Employees that are strongly affected by perceived risks to their safety are more likely to seek a continuance of their remote working from home arrangements to ensure they are exposed to as little risk as possible. Their concerns should be listened to and acted upon to ensure an anxiety free return to their working lives.
Tradition
Those of us who highly value tradition seek restraint and compliance with authoritarian rules set out by their religious or cultural leaders. They live in accordance with the requirements of family, their religion or culture.
How is this likely to affect us during the pandemic?
People high on the tradition value are likely to seek spiritual support from their deity or communal leadership. They are to be expected to suffer from the restrictions to gather in their places of worship and to share the burden with their like minded peers.
How is this likely to affect us after the pandemic?
Those individuals who value tradition are likely to re-engage with their religious and cultural communities, potentially even more so than they did previously. They might find it difficult to continue the social distancing restraints and are likely to resume their pre-pandemic social and religious routines.
What should employers be aware of?
Employees who are high on the tradition value are likely to seek guidance and leadership after the return to work. They might find it more difficult than others to take on new routines or working arrangements and should be supported throughout such initiatives.
Conformity
Those who are high on the conformity value are bound by compliance to societies rules and regulations. They attempt to restrain themselves in their environments and not to upset the status quo.
How is this likely to affect us during the pandemic?
Conformity-value type individuals could be expected to adhere to all restrictions and measures taken to avoid the further spread of the disease. They are likely to adapt to new social rules and distancing measures without complaint.
How is this likely to affect us after the pandemic?
These individuals might be expected to most easily conform to the new ways of social interaction and prevailing methods of virus control if these become guidelines that are set out by recognised authorities.
What should employers be aware of?
Conformity type employees could be ideal candidates for new work place arrangement initiatives as they are most promising to adhere to any new requirements without complaint.
As you can see from this summary, there are no bad or wrong values, just different values and we as a society or in the workplace, need all of these values to become a complete and functioning entity or society.