[Section] - Individual and Collective Values
Personal Values
Reflecting on core principles (Vitality) and asking questions about identity and personal truth (Inquiry).
Examining personal values requires thoughtful introspection and ethical decision-making (Inquiry), and the ability to follow through on values during challenging situations (Perseverance).
Promoting understanding of social relationships (Interconnectedness) and supporting community health and competitive integrity (Vitality).
TABLE OF CONTENTs - PERSONAL VALUES
REFLECT - Self-Reflection Questions To Start The Learning Process
EXPLORE - Core Principles and Concepts About Personal Values
EXAMINE - Lessons on Authenticity, Reasoning, and Respect
ENGAGE - Engaging New Ideas and Applying Them in Daily Life
REFLECT - PERSONAL VALUES
Self-reflection is a powerful tool to increase self-awareness and prepare mentally and emotionally to engage new ideas!
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As you begin to think about your own PERSONAL VALUES, ask yourself the following questions.
What values do I try to live by, and where did those values come from?
Do I treat others with the same respect and honesty that I expect from them?
What kind of person do I want to be known as by my teammates, coaches, professors, and classmates?
EXPLORE - PERSONAL VALUES
Build emotional and practical connections to new ideas!
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Your personal values are the foundation for how you live your life. They are not complicated rules written by someone else, but rather the beliefs that shape your choices, habits, and relationships. As a student-athlete, you make decisions every day that reflect what matters to you. These choices build a picture of who you are becoming, whether or not you realize it right now.
College is a time when many students first start to recognize and define their personal standards. For some of you, these values come from your family, your community, or your faith. For others, they might develop from experiences, challenges, or mentors you meet along the way. No matter where they begin, your values serve as a kind of compass to help you navigate the pressure of competition, academics, and personal life.
One of the most important aspects of personal values is authenticity. In this case, being authentic means that you are honest with yourself and others about who you are and what you stand for. You are not trying to fit into someone else's version of success. Instead, you are building a reputation based on your priorities. This can feel uncomfortable at times, especially if your values do not match the group around you. But staying authentic helps you avoid regret and builds long-term confidence.
You will also find that your personal values affect your response to mistakes and challenges. No one is perfect. There will be times when you fall short or make decisions that you regret. What matters most is how you respond afterward. Do you take responsibility, learn from the experience, and adjust? Or do you make excuses and avoid uncomfortable growth? Honest self-reflection helps you stay true to your values even after setbacks.
Living by personal values is not only about how you feel about yourself, but also about how you treat other people. Respect for others is one of the clearest ways your values manifest in daily life. The way you communicate with your teammates, listen to your professors, or even handle a disagreement says a lot about the kind of person you are becoming. Treating people with kindness and fairness builds trust and strengthens your relationships, both in competition and beyond.
As you continue through college, your values may change or evolve as you grow and learn. This is normal and healthy. The important thing is to stay engaged in that process. Pay attention to what matters most to you and be willing to question your own assumptions. When you make choices that reflect your current values, you feel more grounded and steady, even when life around you feels unpredictable.
Personal values are not about being perfect or impressing others. They are about becoming the kind of person you want to be.
EXAMINE - AUTHENTICITY
Being authentic means acting in a way that reflects who you are and what you believe in. It helps you build trust with others and stay confident in your choices, even during difficult moments.
Authenticity starts with knowing your core values. When you take time to understand what matters most to you, it becomes easier to make decisions that align with your identity.
People are drawn to those who are honest about who they are. You do not need to pretend or perform a certain way to earn respect. Being honest builds real connections.
Authenticity also means owning your flaws and mistakes. Being real includes being open about the areas of growth you are still working on.
The more consistently you live by your values, the more confident you feel in your direction. Confidence grounded in truth lasts longer than confidence based on fleeting approval.
In teams and programs, authentic people are trusted because they are consistent. They don’t say one thing and immediately do another.
Authenticity is not about being loud or dramatic. It is about staying true to your beliefs, even when it feels easier to stay quiet or go along with others.
People may challenge your authenticity, especially if your values are different from theirs. Staying calm and respectful helps you stay grounded.
Being authentic helps others feel safe to be themselves too. When you display honesty, it encourages others to do the same.
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EXAMINE - REASONING
Moral reasoning is the process of thinking through what is right, fair, and responsible in a given situation. It helps you make good choices, especially when the answer is not obvious or easy.
Every ethical decision involves thinking about the outcome. Ask yourself who is affected, what the consequences are, and whether your choice helps or harms yourself and others.
Doing what is right is not always the easiest, fastest, or most convenient path. Moral reasoning takes practice, but it helps you avoid regret and build trust.
Think before reacting. When faced with conflict, take a moment to reflect before making a decision.
Just because something is allowed doesn’t mean it is right. Ethics go beyond rules and focus on what supports fairness, honesty, and empathy.
Weighing different sides of an issue helps you grow. Seeing things from multiple perspectives builds cognitive empathy and strengthen decision-making skills.
Trust your inner voice when something feels wrong. That discomfort is often a signal to slow down and choose carefully.
Ask yourself how you would feel if someone treated you the same way. Respect for others begins with fairness and empathy.
Reflecting on past decisions can improve future ones. Looking back helps you learn and develop a stronger ethical compass.
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EXAMINE - RESPECT
Respect for others means treating people with dignity, kindness, and fairness regardless of their background, opinion, or position. This is one of the clearest signs of personal ethics in action.
Respect starts with listening. When you give someone your full attention, you show that their thoughts and presence matter to you.
Every person deserves to be treated with decency. Showing respect is a clear reflection of your character.
Disagreeing respectfully is part of being in a diverse community. You do not have to agree in order to be kind, thoughtful, and fair.
Respect includes your words and actions. What you say and how you express it both send messages about your values.
People notice how you treat others when you have nothing to gain. That is when your values are most clear.
Respect for others means avoiding gossip, exclusion, or cruelty. These behaviors weaken teams and damage trust.
Respect extends to digital spaces too. How you post, share, and comment online reflects how you treat others in person.
Apologizing when you are wrong shows strength. Recognizing and owning your mistakes and making it right is a large part of respecting others.
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ENGAGE - PERSONAL VALUES
Please look over the following prompts. You’ll be asked to participate in a short discussion about what you have learned, either individually or in a group, with a REBOOT Coach and/or guest speakers. Think about how these lessons will benefit you most in school, competition, and life!
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QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF :
[Authenticity]
When do you feel most like your authentic self? What does that version of you look and feel like?
[Reasoning]
Think about a difficult decision you’ve had to make. How did your sense of right and wrong guide you, and would you make the same choice again now?
[Respect]
How do your values affect the way you treat teammates, classmates, or coworkers who think or act differently from you?
QUESTIONS TO ASK OTHERS :
[Authenticity]
In your leadership role, how do you stay true to your own values while also working within the goals and expectations of the team or organization?
[Reasoning]
Can you share a time when you had to make a tough call between what was easy and what was right? How did your values shape that decision?
[Respect]
How do you promote respect and inclusion on the team, especially when people come from different backgrounds or hold different beliefs?
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES - PERSONAL VALUES
If you would like to learn more about Personal Values, please consider the following resources!
FLCC Athletics - 8/GREAT - HANDOUT - PERSONAL VALUES [PDF]
Personal Values
Michael Van Etten - REBOOT - Didactic Tactics LLC - All Rights Reserved