The five British Values are:
- Democracy
- The Rule of Law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual Respect
- Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
Rokeach (1973) identifies Terminal Values as self-sufficient end-states of existence that a person strives to achieve. So looking at the British Values, the first three (Democracy, the Rule of Law and Individual Liberty) are all Terminal Values. They describe end states of existence which we as a nation subjectively believe are more important than any other end-states of existence (such as knowledge, skill, understanding, social equality, access to healthcare) to the point where we claim them as core British Values. They define Britishness. Meglino and Ravlin (1998) point out that a distinguishing feature of Terminal Values is that they are pursued for their own sake.
Rokeach identifies Instrumental Values as modes of behaviour rather than end-states of existence. In our British Values set, Mutual Respect and Tolerance (of faiths and beliefs) are both Instrumental Values in that they are ways of behaving, not end-states of existence. There are many ways of behaving that are potentially values for some people. Consider generosity, helpfulness, courage, open mindedness, loyalty or fidelity.
There is often a link between Terminal and Instrumental. I value the end-state of individual liberty and therefore I behave with tolerance towards the faiths and beliefs of others. Or I pursue knowledge around sustainability (eg sustainable agriculture) because I want to help alleviate poverty and famine. The Instrumental supports the Terminal
Values or Ideals are situation-independent, or what Schwartz (1994) describes as self-transcendent. He also identifies self-enhancement values, which equate to self-directed values (consider personal success, power, gratification) and self-transcendent values, which equate to other-directed values such as honesty, equality, social justice, consistency, reliability, loyalty. Several scholars use the term Authentic in association with values discussions to describe those individuals who rely on a set of values that are based on doing what is right and fair for all stakeholders (Bass & Steidlmeier, 1999; Luthans and Avolio, 2003; May, Chan, Hodges and Avolio, 2003, Delves, 2008).
When we talk to our participants about values, our start point is to explain Terminal and Instrumental values and help folk to explore what their terminal and instrumental values might be. It might sound very complex and theoretical but it’s our job to make it accessible and actionable – it’s important as a first step to building strong values.
Useful values exercise:
This is the folding paper values exercise and there are six steps to it.
1.Fold your paper into 16 squares
2.Write your values so that there is one value in each square.
3.Tear the paper up into squares
4.Discard six of the squares so that you are left with your top ten values.
5.Now discard another five values so that you are left with five
6.These are your top five values. How do they feel to you? Discuss them with your colleagues.
Roger Delves MA (Hons) Oxon, FRSA
Professor of Practice in Leadership