This blog is an excerpt from the International Award winning book, Innovative Leadership Workbook for Emerging Leaders and Managers. The post is a companion to the Voice America show that aired on April 2, 2019 Making the Pivot, Leveraging Opportunities talking with two very successful leader,Greg Moran and Nicholas Papanicolaou, about the evolution of their careers.

First, you will define your future, and from that vantage point, clarify your vision and values. Values are deeply held views of what we find worthwhile. They come from many sources: parents, religion, schools, peers, people we admire, and culture. Many go back to childhood; others are taken on as adults. Values help us define how we live our lives and accomplish our purpose.

• Step 1: Define what you value most: From the list of values (both work and personal), select the ten that are most important to you—as guides for how to behave, or as components of a valued way of life. Feel free to add any values of your own to this list.

Step 2: Elimination: Now that you have identified ten values, imagine that you are only permitted to have five. Which five would you give up? Cross them off. Now cross off another two to bring your list down to three.

Step 3: Integration:Take a look at the top three values on your list.

• How would your life be different if those values were prominent and practiced?
• What does each value mean, exactly? What do you expect from yourself, even in difficult times?
• Does the personal vision you’ve outlined reflect those values? If not, should your personal vision be expanded? Again, if not, are you prepared and willing to reconsider those values?
• Are you willing to create a life in which these values are paramount, and help an organization put those values into action?

Which one item on the list do you care most about?

In our recent post, Demetrius told us his vision, now he indicates his values.

Top three values in rank order:

1. Family
2. Integrity
3. Humility

To become a more innovative leader, please consider our online leader development program. For additional tools, we recommend taking leadership assessments, using the Innovative Leadership Fieldbookand Innovative Leaders Guide to Transforming Organizations, and adding coaching to our online innovative leadership program. We also offer several workshops to help you build these skills and system to create a regenerative, inclusive and thriving organization that will have a positive impact in the world.