Leadership coaches push 'values inventory' exercise to sharpen tough decisions
A leadership guidance piece argues that the toughest calls executives face aren't really about missing information but about competing values pulling in different directions. It recommends leaders conduct a personal 'values inventory'—systematically identifying and ranking their core priorities—to clarify decision-making when facts alone don't point to an answer.
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As organizations grapple with ambiguous, high-stakes tradeoffs (e.g., growth vs. culture, speed vs. safety), frameworks that force explicit prioritization can reduce indecision and inconsistency at the top. This reflects a broader trend of leadership development shifting from tactical skill-building toward self-awareness and values-based reasoning.
- Difficult leadership decisions often stem from conflicting values rather than lack of data.
- A 'values inventory' helps leaders rank priorities before facing high-stakes choices.
- The approach signals a shift toward self-awareness-based leadership training.
The Values Factor by John Demartini — If the article's call to run a personal values inventory resonated, this book walks through identifying and ranking what actually drives your decisions. It's a practical companion for leaders trying to untangle values conflicts rather than treating them as information gaps.
See The Values Factor by John Demartini on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: fastcompany.com, 2026-09-01
Published there as: “How to conduct a ‘values inventory’—and why you should”
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