Value Translation

The forex exchange exists to translate the value of one currency from one environment to another. I don’t really understand how they arrive at the value of US$1 being different from one place to another.

But, the fact stands; a US$1 in the U.S. does not bear the same value in South Africa. ‘Value translation’ goes beyond trading currency. One organisation will value something more than another. One person will esteem one value over another.

value translation

value / worth is contextual… unique to individuals and organisations. never assume you place the same value on a particular things despite you both upholding a value…

|| image by TheArtGuy

What does this mean?:

The Other

It means that for your organisation to have strong collaborations you must recognize the value that the other places on the same things. You must have an understanding of the ‘value priorities‘ of the other.

Thus, your communication, strategy, the very foundation of your collaboration must be sensitive to your partner organization and subsequent agreements drafted along the lines of their value.

I am not suggesting that you completely overlook your values. I’m saying for a successful collaboration or partnership you will need to be aware what some things are worth from your counterparts’ perspective.

Most partnerships fail because one overlooks that what is one dollar on their side is probably fifty cents to the other.

Negotiations

Thus, the premise for successful negotiations or conflict resolution is both sides stating what is important to them and determining what value of pertinent issues is on the other side of the table. This is the essence of value translation.

Getting Ahead

Translating value is what stops many in enterprise from failing to advance. The successful ones in the context of enterprises are often those who adopt the enterprises’ value as their own.

The ones who adapt only assimilate what they choose or inconveniences them the least, hence they are often considered the least.

Understand

You cannot have a genuine appreciation of someone until you are able to translate the value they place on things in their lives. You may see dogs more important than cats. Bad mouthing cats to one who likes cats will not make you the best of friends.

Relationships are often strained because one party either does not recognize the value the other places on certain things, or the other completely tramples what the other places greater value on, completely.

The Crux

On a scale of ten, an organization or individual can place a ten on the worth of ‘value xy’ while another places a three on the same value. I’ve intentionally laboured everything because of the importance of this concept…

Always remember:

A dollar to you may be fifty cents to someone else and vice versa. Always translate value first as you engage with others. For a deeper connection with others connect with value they place.

Conflict is often a result of not properly translating the value one places on something.

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Your thoughts?

 

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How To Always Have Courage To Take Risks

Being visible comes with being a heretic. Challenging the status quo is noisy and, sometimes messy. This will always draw attention. It takes courage to do significant things. This is because there is always the unknown. You will need to be intentional to always have courage to take risks.

Continue reading “How To Always Have Courage To Take Risks”

When Others Pass Judgment On You

Not too long ago I wrote a post about what to consider before you pass judgement or critique. Since that post, I’ve had numerous requests to consider writing about being on the receiving end of ‘judgement’ or critique. Existence is enough reason to make you candidate for being judged or critiqued.
I say this often and will say it again, “you are never going to be right all the time every time”. Judgement or critique is inevitable. We earn some of it. Perhaps deserve it. Conversely, we may be clueless about its origins and reasons behind it. So, what are you supposed to do when others pass judgement on you?
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when others pass judgment on you
being judged or critiqued does not condemn you to whatever you’re judged as forever; it is your decision || image by jkbeitz | cc
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Control


Foremost, you must acknowledge that you do not have total control over people and their perceptions.
It is pointless and, exhausting, trying to get everyone on the same page as to what they should believe about you, your cause and enterprise. However not having total control does not mean you have none. Doh! Do only what you canon managing others’ perceptions.
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Ears


Critique can be an amazing tool for growth for your person and leadership. Sometimes judgement on us stings. Sometimes because of the truth in it. At other times because of the lack of truth in them. You’ve heard this before but a reminder is always beneficial.
Be ruthless in addressing changes the critique may warrant. Not only that, be equally brutal with what is irrelevant by discarding it and not giving it any valuable attention and energy. In other instances some critique could be just what is needed to save your organisation.
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Without a complaint your vision can die.

Someone always has a better idea about how you should be or how to do what you do. Frankly, there are times they are right. Sometimes negative critique could be indicative that we are not doing what we should be. It could also mean that we are trying to be what we are not. Critique can be a medium of learning.

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Ostrich


Burying your head in the sand does not make judgment or critique irrelevant or go away. Acknowledge it will always be there. Don’t take everything personally. See each judgment as either an opportunity for growth or a ‘traffic calming device’ that slows you down but you move past. Whether critique makes you bitter or better is all up to you.

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Bonus


Other helpful posts:

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Your thoughts?

 

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Smarter Than You

Leaders are not leaders because they are the smartest people on the block. Leadership is an enabling function, not a mark of intelligence. The smartest leaders are ones that realize and acknowledge they are not the smartest.

Without humility leaders can never truly influence. Influence is short-lived when leaders live under the delusion of being the smartest. As leader, your responsibility is to facilitate realizing vision and not be the smartest. A paradox.

smarter than you
the smartest leaders are not intimidated by those smarter than them but engage them to better the pursuit of their cause || image by stevendepolo | cc

Some people become leaders because they choose to rise up to make a difference. These are heretics that are uncomfortable with the status quo. They see change as a necessity and not an option.

Others become leaders simply because they just happened to be there when a leader was needed and there was no one else. Regardless of how you became a leader, you are a leader.

One of the things that cause leaders to feel inadequate is when opportunities arise to lead smarter people than themselves. Heretic leaders understand that their primary function is not to be necessarily the smartest, but to lead.

It is wise for leaders to school up and always sharpen themselves but they will always meet people than are better than them in some areas.

You can lead people smarter than you. In fact you become smart by engaging them as contributors to your cause. Don’t be intimidated by them; treat them as equals. Giving them space to contribute to your cause communicates security in who you are and your leadership. In fact you and your cause will ultimately benefit.

When you have people smarter than you following, listen to them. Where their ability is greater than yours trust them.

(I’m not suggesting that you stop taking into account the impact of some of their guidance). The leader’s responsibility is to be a guardian of the vision. When they knowledge or skill is falls short of what is needed the vision is at risk. Bringing on board others stronger than them in order protect the cause is commendable. In fact, it is wise. Be bold. Be /ˈherətik/.

Your thoughts?   

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4 Ways You Undermine and Fail Your Teammates

There is respect bestowed on people by virtue of the position they occupy. Some people struggle to give respect in instances where they are on the ‘same level’ with. Nothing cripples teams like teammates undermining each other. When people in a team undermine each other the whole team fails.

Undermining those you are with on your team is evidence that you have made your ego more important than the team and its purposes. The team also fails those that lead it when the teammates undermine each other. So, how exactly are you undermining your teammates?\

Here are 4 ways you undermine and fail your teammates:

Continue reading “4 Ways You Undermine and Fail Your Teammates”