Values, Beliefs, Principles
How They Interact to Shape Your Life
Even though I've taught principles of values-centered leadership for decades, I was well into that process before I recognized the complex conceptual framework within which values function. And each of our values has its own unique framework.
For reasons which I outline in this podcast, I began referring to this framework 20 years ago as a molecule. At the center of the molecule is a value. Surrounding this nucleus are our beliefs which we hold about the value. Then, attached to each belief are principles which we derive from that belief -- principles which dictate how we should implement that value in our approach to life.
I refer to this construct as a VBP molecule. Values, Beliefs, Principles. I first introduced it in 2006 in my book Leadership and the Power of Trust. Since then I've fleshed it out extensively in keynotes and trainings. It helps me provide clients with a more comprehensive understanding of motivation.
We've long recognized that all motivation is based on values. That is, we are not motivated to pursue anything which has no value to us. This would imply that behavior (which is prompted by motivation) is the product of the values which we cherish.
In reality, however, behavior is not the direct by-product of a value or particular set of values. Behavior is a by-product of what we believe about those virtues. And the pattern of our behavior stems from the principles which we deduce from those beliefs.
Therefore, we do not change behavior by changing people's values. We change behavior by helping them change what they believe about their values. When beliefs change, principles change. And when principles change, behavior changes.
A transcript of this podcast is available for download at UpsizeYourLeadership.com. That same link will give you access to a downloadable graphic which provides a visual depiction of the VBP molecule.

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