How to Make Decisions That Reflect What Matters Most

A Lesson in Values-Driven Decision-Making

You're receiving this email because you subscribed to ValuesCrafting. As we move into 2025, I’m reflecting on how aligning decisions with values has shaped my life. I hope these insights bring clarity and encouragement as you navigate your own path. Thank you for being part of ValuesCrafting. If this resonates, I’d love for you to share it with someone who might find it helpful. Warmly, Susan

A Lesson in Values-Driven Decision-Making

A Framework for Decisions That Reflect What Matters Most

At TechSmith, we learned that decision-making isn't just about efficiency or cost; it's about reflecting the values that shape our culture.

Let me share an example that taught us this lesson the hard way.

In preparation for a significant technology show in Las Vegas, a new marketing manager made a decision that clashed with TechSmith's values.

To save money, she booked separate accommodations for our booth staff when Bill, my husband, I, and our employees had traditionally stayed in the same hotel

Staff members had repeatedly advised her that at TechSmith, everyone stayed together in the same hotel, regardless of their role, to foster a sense of equality and shared purpose. Staying together also made debriefing, planning, and shared meals seamless.

She dismissed their input.

When our 18 employees arrived at their hotel, they found the path to the door lined with prostitutes and drug dealers plying their wares just yards from the entryway. This entryway was their initial greeting.

Alarmed and uncomfortable, they set out for the exhibit hall and to find alternative accommodations. Upon arriving, a senior manager heard their concerns and immediately secured the better hotel accommodations they found across town.

This separation disrupted our usual debriefings, but Bill and I bridged the gap by meeting the team at their new hotel for discussions, drinks, and dinners.

It wasn't ideal, but it was essential to support our team.

Meanwhile, the marketing manager chose to stay at the original hotel, possibly to make a point. A concerned employee, embodying our value of care, stayed next door to ensure her safety.

Unfortunately, his night ended in chaos when police broke down his door, mistaking it for a drug dealer's room. He joined us at our hotel the next day, and the team rallied to maintain professionalism despite the rocky start.

This incident underscored a critical lesson: decision-making at TechSmith was never about saving money at the expense of safety, trust, and values.

We relied on respect, care, and empowerment to guide our choices. Failing to align with these principles created unnecessary risks and strained the team.

Ultimately, this experience reinforced the importance of listening, prioritizing shared values, and ensuring that decisions reflect the culture we worked so hard to build.

This decision was just one example of how this manager's values failed to align with TechSmith's. While she may have had good intentions, her choices were consistently out of step with the culture we worked for years to build.

It became clear that she wasn't the right fit for our team, and we soon parted ways.

This incident became a turning point, reinforcing the need to hire leaders who possess technical skills but also profoundly align with our shared values.

It reinforced a vital truth: decisions grounded in shared values aren't just about avoiding mistakes but building trust, fostering collaboration, and creating an environment where everyone feels respected and supported.

At TechSmith, we learned that even one misaligned decision could disrupt the harmony we strived to maintain.

From Story to Decision Making Action

The experience with the marketing manager wasn't just about one bad decision. It was a stark reminder of aligning decisions with core values.

Every choice we make, big or small, can affect the people around us, our work, and the culture we cultivate.

When decisions don't reflect our values, even the best intentions can lead to consequences we never intended.

But how do we consistently make decisions that align with what matters most?

How can we apply our values to guide us through challenging situations, just like we did at TechSmith when faced with challenges?

The Framework for Values-Based Decision Making

Here's a simple framework to apply when making any decision, whether in the workplace or in your personal life.

This framework will help you clarify your values and use them as a compass when you encounter a decision point.

Identify the Core Values at Play

Ask yourself: What values are most important in this situation? Is it respect, honesty, fairness, or another value?

For example, in the marketing manager story, respect, equality, and safety were key drivers for prioritizing team well-being over cost-saving measures.

Evaluate the Impact

Ask yourself: Who will this decision affect? How will it impact others, both short-term and long-term? In the case of the hotel debacle, we had to ask ourselves if the cost savings were worth the potential harm to our team's safety and trust.

Consult Your Internal Compass

Ask yourself: Does this decision align with my deeper values and personal beliefs? In moments of doubt, connect with your internal compass. For example, if you value empowerment, ask yourself how your decision will support or hinder the empowerment of others.

Gather the Facts

Ask yourself: What do you know about the situation? What's the context? Information is key to making an informed decision that respects everyone involved. Even with limited data, we rely on the values that have consistently guided us, like trust and transparency.

Consider the Long-Term Effects

Ask yourself: How will this decision play out in the future? Will it build or erode trust? Will it create an environment of respect and collaboration, or will it lead to division and dissatisfaction?

Make the Decision

What is the best course of action considering your gathered values and insights? Now that you've considered the facts, the people involved, and your values, make the decision that aligns with your personal and professional standards.

Review and Reflect on the Decision

Ask yourself: How did the decision play out? What went well? How could you have improved your decision? Reflecting ensures that we continue to grow and refine our decision-making process. Even when a decision leads to challenges, we learn and adapt.

Living Your Values

This framework can help you make values-driven decisions that lead to better outcomes, smoother collaboration, and a workplace (or life) filled with trust, respect, and shared purpose.

You strengthen your leadership by consistently aligning your decisions with your core values. You create an environment where everyone feels respected, heard, and empowered.