What We Value, Part I

In the wake of the recent elections and political scandals, I’ve been thinking about integrity, honor, and values even more than usual. Not only in our personal lives, but in the stance we take in approach to our vocations.

I work in the marketing/communications and graphic design field, and it’s a world where straight talk and truth in advertising can give way to concepts involving dubious buzzwords such as “spin”, “draws”, and “hooks”. “Whatever it takes to make a profit” is an easy mindset to fall into. And with a focus on expediency, it’s common to have poorly conceived projects and sloppy work as a result. We also encounter shady contracts, unreliable clients, untrustworthy co-workers, and unethical business practices.

To give every task your best effort, while promoting integrity in all relationships, seems to be an unpopular path at times.

So with the conviction that we should all have conveyable values in our professional lives, I’ve decided to set down my own thoughts on what I strive for as well as what I hope to see in the individuals and situations that I encounter in my design career.

Uncompromising standards.
• Commitment to creating a quality product, while meeting deadlines, without cutting corners.
• Attempting to lead by example, and showing appreciation for colleagues who place a similar importance on delivering their best work.
• Solid judgement in determining which projects, clients, causes and goals to become involved with.

Established boundaries and responsibilities.
• Realizing the importance of a well-defined process, which includes effectively communicated obligations.
• Being able to OWN a project or have control over certain aspects, but also having awareness of when collaborating or delegating is appropriate.

Personal integrity.
• Honesty, directness.
• Being trustworthy with information, and dependable: always following through on promises, not making excuses.
• Admitting when mistakes have been made.
• Properly crediting and acknowledging the contributions of others.
• Not always having to be right, being openminded and thoughtful regarding others’ viewpoints.

Balance.
• Endeavoring to have grace under pressure.
• Having the ability to work rapidly and efficiently, but also knowing when to relax and reflect.
• A proper sense of priorities. Avoiding procrastination.
• No feast-or-famine workflow, and sensible scheduling.
• Knowing when to say “no,” and being prepared to clarify your stance rationally, preventing negative consequences.
• Appreciating the value of communication and fellowship, yet having enough “alone time” and privacy to be absorbed in work or simply engaged in brainstorming of an introverted nature.

Creativity, imagination, and bravery.
• Striving to be innovative and achieve new ground.
• Being able to translate ideas and concepts into finished results.
• Willingness to learn, to grow, to leave the “comfort zone” of familiar skills and proficiencies.
• Having the courage to take risks and create something unconventional or shake up the established procedures.

Contribution and Community.
• Providing useful, appreciated information and products to the world.
• Adding to the knowledge and abilities of others, helping and inspiring colleagues to achieve and learn.
• Bringing beauty and objects of value into being.