Identity and Values

Below is an outline of my identity and values.

A few years ago, I was working for a small company, and we were in a highly competitive industry. One day, I overheard a conversation among some colleagues about a plan to gather information about a competitor's upcoming product launch. This information was not publicly available, and the plan involved contacting a former employee of the competitor who might have insider knowledge. The discussion was framed as a way to gain a competitive advantage. In this situation, I had to weigh several values and factors. On one hand, there was the pressure to succeed in a cutthroat industry, which could have justified taking this unethical shortcut. On the other hand, there were values like integrity, honesty, and respect for fair competition that I strongly believed in. I also considered the potential legal and reputational risks for both myself and the company. Ultimately, I decided to speak up against the plan and express my concerns to my colleagues and superiors. I emphasized the importance of competing fairly and ethically, even if it meant a tougher path to success. The decision was not easy, as it could have strained relationships and even jeopardized my job. However, it aligned with my core values and principles. Looking back on that decision, I feel proud of having upheld my ethical values. The situation served as a reminder that ethical conduct isn't always the easiest or most convenient path, but it's the one that maintains integrity and builds trust. I believe that making the right ethical choices, even in challenging circumstances, ultimately contributes to personal growth and the long-term success and reputation of individuals and organisations.

I come from a family of farmers in the south. During my childhood conditions were challenging. We lived on a very isolated property, we would often lose road access during winter and it would just be my family and I at home. However on the farm there were always animals needs that came before your own. They needed to be cared for, fed and watered before you could be. I think you can see this reflected in my work ethic. I am a task orientated person. I wanted to get work completed so I can move on to the next problem or relax.

I am task orientated, this is valuable as I can often ensure we stay on track and get the job completed. I am organised and often am the one aware of the details that need to be completed to finish a job. I value fairness and like to ensure everyone is given the opportunity to contribute. I like to see a team working to its strengths and this may include someone with a particular skillset directing others in a role.

I have less of a people focus. This is a limitation I have been trying to improve over my career. I aim to improve this so that my task orientation can broaden to include how people are managing their load, needing help or just need a break.

As the content so far is pre recorded, my main expectation is for pretty quick student support. As the course develops I expect this role will develop more into a course delivery role and facilitators will be there on the edge to answer student queries.

I have worked in teams when there have been team players who have not been contributing. To address this, I encouraged open communication and defined clear roles. Although these strategies had some positive impact, the resistance and tension persisted. Reflecting on the experience, I now realize the importance of active listening and empathy. In the future, I would prioritize creating a safe space for team members to express their concerns and opinions openly. Additionally, I would implement conflict resolution techniques, such as mediation or facilitated discussions, to address underlying issues directly. By fostering open dialogue and empathetic understanding, my goal is to promote a more collaborative and productive team environment.