Our values are a core part of who we are, how we see the world, and how we relate to others. Even when we aren’t conscious of it, our values are playing a role in every decision we make. By exploring and identifying our values, we can better utilize them as a resource in guiding our path. This activity is geared toward individual reflection. Planners and/or facilitators can consider using this activity 1:1 or in a group setting.
Things to Think About
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For the Facilitator
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If you are the person leading or facilitating this activity, here are a few things to think about as you plan and prepare:
- What are your goals or learning outcomes for this activity?
- What framing will you provide to participants?
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For the Participant
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If you are the person taking part in this activity, here are a few things to think about before you begin:
- Be sure to come to this activity with an open mindset
- Know that this activity is "challenge by choice" meaning it's up to you to make the most of this activity and you decide how far you want to take it.
Students talk with one another as they prepare to participate in Community Action.
Instructions
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For the Facilitator
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Welcome & Framing
Introduce yourself and describe how understanding our values is an important tool for making decisions and engaging in service and civic engagement.
Would You Rather
To warm up the group use a "would you rather" exercise to get participants thinking about the choices they make, and what influences them.
This can be done in small groups or one large group. Depending on the size, either give one envelope of questions to each cluster of participants, or pass around one to two questions to each participant.
Ask people in each group to review each question together and discuss why they chose the option they did.
After a few minutes, bring the entire group back together and discuss what influenced people's choices and decisions. Note how if we make a decision that feels "right" it's probably in alignment with our values.
Values Compass
What are values? Have participants share verbally how they define values and record that in a place for everyone to see.
Hand a printed copy of the Values Compass worksheet to each participant. Use the handout to walk through the steps of creating your own Values Compass.
Intention Setting
An intention is a word or phrase that acts as a guiding principle in your life. It's not a goal. It is not something that you attach an expectation to or could potentially fall short of. It's a purpose, a way that you want to align your decision making.
Hand out craft materials and ask participants to take a few minutes to decide on an intention that they are going to take with them from today's work.
- What resonates with you?
- What intention will you set that enables you to live into your values?
Closing
Thank participants for being part of the Values Compass activity and remind everyone that exploring our values can be an ongoing activity, one that can orient our path in service and civic engagement and in life.
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For the Participant
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Once you complete the activity, consider:
- Why are these values important to you?
- Is there any significance to the order in which you listed these five values?
- How are these five values exhibited in your decision-making, behavior, or relationships?
Measurement
To identify whether the Values Compass was successful:
- Consider your goals for the activity. What do you want participants to take away from the experience?
- Determine how you will collect feedback from participants and the facilitator(s). Will you ask questions during your closing to gauge reception and usefulness? Would it be better to follow up with people afterwards via email or other method?