Values and Their Expression

Values are a common way that people and organizations define themselves. They set individuals apart from one and other by what they put "value" in as they go through day to day life. The VIA test that we took in class listed a comprehensive set of common values that the user appeared to exhibit in the order of the strength with which they are expressed. My very first value that VIA identified was "judgement," followed closely by "perspective." These fall under the heading of "Wisdom and Knowledge," an area that I am glad is identified in my most expressed values based on a recent shift, in the form of a fast forward, in my academic goals. Utilizing this area of values, as opposed to temperance or transcendence, is important to me as I have to rely highly on my senses of judgement and perspective in order to form plans that have life or career altering implications before employing the rest of my values in how I choose to execute these plans.


Authenticity in relation to values in my experience is understanding what one's values are and making sure to stay true to them. Not understanding what one's values are would lead to being inauthentic since there isn't a way to excel or show one's true self without understanding what that self is. This kind of inauthenticity is common since most people do not reflect on their defining values in the task and achievement focused culture that we live in. Often we are seen as defined by our achievements or accomplishments, when really the driving, motivating values that lead to these achievements are what are worth exploring. Exploring these values leads to authenticity as one understands and develops these values and learns to express them better and better. Learning to express them is the best way to be authentic, since trying to alter them or express something else as a large part of yourself is not as efficient or easy as those that are your truest values.