28/01/2025
Value vs Priority
Over the last few months, I’ve been immersed in some in-depth discussion with leaders, owners, family and other community figures. Many of the discussion leading me to look back on my life and considered the many impactful insights and statements which have been shared with me over the last 25 years, some of which have positively shifted my approach, dialogue and view of the world as a professional and person. One of the most impactful to this day is still the simple notion of Value over Priority.
You’ll find these two words sitting prominently in almost every business at the pinnacle of their value chains, commitment statements and global ethical frameworks. Yet it still is not uncommon to see either of these words being used out of context to the desirable output or outcome.
When we deemed something a priority, we will make a concerted effort to address it, provided that the available time, resources and effort hasn't been displaced by other pressing matters of urgency. Priorities, by their nature, are subject to fluctuation based on circumstances and competing demands. Yet you’ll find the use of this word in our statement and dialogue in areas which have no margin or tolerance to suffer such variability.
Conversely, when something is deeply embedded as a value in your life or within an organisation, it transcends the constraints of time or competing interests. Values act as enduring principles to influence decisions and actions consistently, regardless of constraints, pressure or challenges imposed.
The use of either in the wrong context or with misdirected intent, drastically shifting the desirable return or outcome much further away than if you had done or said nothing at all. For 2025, I would like to start this year with this insight and hope that it stimulates a thought or discussions in how we choose to interact, challenge or influence change within our actions.
What are we truely valuing? and where can we entertain and set priorities.
