Managing Human Behaviour at Work

MHBG 17-1

Nelson DSilva, SJ

Values
Values: basic convictions about what is right, good, or desirable.

A value is a conception, explicit or implicit, distinctive of an individual or characteristic of

a group

Values represent basic conviction that a specific mode of conduct is personally or socially
preferable to an opposite or converse mode of conduct

Values influence attitudes and behaviour

Values
Once a value is internalized, it becomes a standard for guiding action or a criterion for
selection of an action

the manner in which an individual tends to make judgements or choices, both about goals
and means, at different stages of ones life, in different facets of it, as are deemed to lead to
the well-being and happiness of oneself and society.

Values are so deep seated in our personality never seen actually, but manifest themselves
through our attitude, opinions, and behaviours; the way one makes choice in a given
situation.
Value Formation & Effects
 Mass
Home
Media

Socio-
Peer
economi
Group
c Class

Individu
al
Educatio Religious
nal
Values Upbringi
System ng

Prejudice
s and
Attitudes
Stereoty
pes Beliefs
and
Opinions

Value Formation
Values cant be taught, but learnt
Traditionally transmitted through the family, school, religious institutions etc.

Valuing Process
Helps clarifying & developing desirable values
The process involves thinking, feeling, communicating, choosing & acting.

See document on AIS

Rokeachs value survey
Instrumental and Terminal values

Terminal values: Desirable end-states of existence; the goals that a person would like to
achieve during his/her lifetime

Instrumental values: Preferable modes of behaviour or means of achieving ones terminal

values

What are your values?

What do you value in life?

Let us analyse
 Rank the terminal values in order of importance to you as guiding principles in your life
These are the things you hope to accomplish before you die
Do not rank what you think should be important but what is a strong priority for you

Work slowly and think about each choice

If you change your mind, feel free to change your answer

Do the same for instrumental values

Terminal values
Instrumental values

The end result should show how you really feel, not only about your life-goals, but the
way you would like to behave during that life time

Look at the five top values of each of your lists. Are your top instrumental values and the
top terminal values compatible or in conflict?

If your values seem to be in conflict, which ones will you adjust in order to achieve what is
important to you?
People, Ideas or Things
The activities and interests people pursue will often indicate whether their value system is
oriented mainly toward people, ideas or things

The three orientations will be at various levels but one is likely to be more dominant

Analyze It
To create your future, look to the future, not the past. Find a quiet place, close your eyes,
and create images of what the ideal life would look like if you could have it exactly the
way you want it in each of the following categories:
The financial area of your life: Where are you living? In what type of home? How much
money do you have in savings and investments? What kind of car are you driving?
Your job or career: Where are you working? What are you doing? What is your
compensation?
Your personal relationships: Are you closely connected to your family? Who are your
friends?
Note: This visualization exercise can be expanded to include other important areas of your life
such as physical and mental health, spirituality, and leisure time.
This will show what and how much you value things in the long-run

Do values change?
When and how do values change?
By generations: Generation X & Generation Y/ME?

Exposure to other cultures?

Media influences?

Interaction with a variety of people

Managers personal value systems influence
perception of situations and problems faced
decisions and solutions
the way a manager looks at other individuals/groups; influencing interpersonal
relationships
perception of individual and organizational success
sets limits on what is/is not ethical
the extent to which a manager accepts/resists organizational pressures and goals

What is my perspective on work?

Multidimensional work ethic profile

Managers values
Family
Achievement
Independence and self-reliance
Initiative
Being yourself
Integrity
Perfection
 Values vary by culture
Hofstedes study
Individualism-collectivism
Power distance
Masculinity
Uncertainty avoidance
Long term orientation
Indulgence

Values drift
The slow erosion of your core values over timethose tiny changes that can steer you off
course

Stand firm on your core values

Monitor your commitment to your values and make adjustments when necessary to get
your life back on track
Values conflict
Causes of interpersonal conflict among people is differing values

Organizations study value differences/conflicts when understanding problems like

declining quality, absenteeism and poor customer service

Internal values conflict

Values conflict with others
Internal values conflict
A person who is forced to choose between two or more strongly held values is
experiencing an internal values conflict

How you resolve internal values conflicts depends on your willingness to rank your core
values in the order of their importance to you
Prioritizing your values will help you make decisions when life gets complicated and you
have to make difficult choices.
 Value conflict with others
People coming from different backgrounds, families, religions, etc. can have values
conflict

These conflicts require human relations skills

Two extreme responses
Stand your groundescalate conflict
Do nothingleave your values

Compromise
Avoid value judgements
Develop understanding attitudes