Value in the Workplace
Value is one of the seven fundamental elements of art. It refers to the illusion of light, which creates depth, contrast, texture, and dimension. Without value, an image appears flat or lifeless or unrealistic. Artists skillfully use tints (lighter values) and shades (darker values) to craft compelling compositions, drawing the viewer’s eye and evoking emotion.
Example of what value brings to an image
Just as value adds depth to art, feeling valued adds depth to our lives. In the workplace, individuals contribute in unique ways, each bringing their own “tints and shades” to the team. A person may offer innovative ideas (a bright tint) while also being the steady force that keeps work on track (a grounding shade). But when a leader only recognizes one aspect of an employee’s contribution, that person may begin to feel reduced, unseen, and ultimately undervalued.
The reduction of values often happens when teams begin to grow. When more work is needed, new members are added to the team which means there are more tints and shades that work to draw the eye of the leader. With more tints and shades filling the canvas, it is easy to feel lost in the mix. Even though all your efforts played a significant role in this magnificent work of art, all of the values combined with other teammates begin to form new depths and contrast, making strengths and weaknesses stand out even more than before. After all, that’s what value does in art, it makes things illuminate, bringing perspective to an element’s appearance. At this point, the leader begins to recognize more heights and depths, more strengths and weaknesses among the work. The leader then adjusts more attention to the teammates that is considered “valuable,” while seemingly forgetting the values (all the tints and shades) that you “drew” to get the team to this point.
Although one person may stand out in an area, every person is full of values that contribute to team success.
True value is not defined by one tint or shade alone. It is the full spectrum of what you bring to the table—your creativity, problem-solving, experience, and dedication. When you find yourself in a place where your full value is appreciated, you will thrive. That’s when your full creativity will blossom, and your passion towards accomplishing goals will shine. Just as a well-balanced composition comes to life when all of its values work in harmony, so too will your work-production be full of positive emotion.
On the other hand, losing your sense of value can be discouraging, as if you are appearing flat or lifeless, not recognized for what you bring to the piece of art that you’ve played a role in creating. Yet, when your contributions are being overlooked or diminished, you can either allow discouragement or anger to smudge all of the incredible values that you bring (which I don’t recommend), or you can take it as an opportunity for reflection and growth. This is the time to ask yourself: Is there room for growth here? Can I advocate for myself to be seen more fully? Or is it time for a transition—seeking a new job or career path?
In these moments, I personally find myself motivated to accomplish new feats. For example, I’ve asked myself what could make me better? One time, I took 10 courses within SkillShare and Udemy, all for the purpose of learning and training myself to be better in the areas that I can grow. This way, I still celebrated personal achievements that also positively impacted my work (even if it wasn’t recognized by an employer, I recognized my own accomplishments).
If you’ve been feeling overlooked, consider this your encouragement to move forward. Whether that means having a conversation with your leader or making a bold change, your value remains, and your work is worth the feeling of being recognized. You are not a single value trying to fit into one specific accomplishment, but you are a world of tints and shades, ideas and imagination, experiences and perspective. It’s up to others if they choose to recognize that value that you bring.
