What are Values...? Can You Change Your Values...?

WHAT ARE “VALUES”...? 

Values are beliefs about what is good or bad. 

Your values determine what is desirable or undesirable. 

Values have an ethical and moral dimension. 

Your values provide you an internal reference for what is good, beneficial, important, useful, beautiful, desirable and constructive. 

Values generate behaviour and influence the choices made by an individual. 

Values have a major influence on your behaviour and attitude in various situations. 

Examples of Values include HONESTY, LOYALTY, AMBITION, ALTRUISM, CLEANLINESS, CONFIDENCE, CONFORMITY, CREATIVITY, CURIOSITY, DARING, DECISIVENESS, DEPENDABILITY, DISCIPLINE, INDEPENDENCE, INDIVIDUALITY, OBEDIENCE, PATRIOTISM, PUNCTUALITY, SENSE OF HUMOR, SIMPLICITY, WEALTH etc 

(The list of values is endless – you can surf the internet to see lists of values – and – you may discover your own personal values by introspection) 

Values can be categorised into two types: 

1. INSTRUMENTAL VALUES 

and 

2. TERMINAL VALUES 

My article below elaborates on these two types of values... 

INSTRUMENTAL VALUES and TERMINAL VALUES

THE TWO TYPES OF VALUES 

Musings on Management Ethics 

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Values are of two types – in both the personal and organizational domains. 

The two types of values are:

1. INSTRUMENTAL VALUES

and 

2. TERMINAL VALUES

Let me explain a bit about these two types of values. 

INSTRUMENTAL VALUES

Instrumental Values are core values.

Instrumental Values are permanent in nature.

Instrumental Values comprise personal characteristics and character traits.

Instrumental Values refer to preferable modes of behaviour and include values like honesty, sincerity, ambition, independence, obedience, imaginativeness, courageousness, competitiveness – and also some negative traits too. 

Organisations also have Instrumental Values (which can be ascertained from the organizational culture).

Whether at personal level or organizational level – instrumental values are permanent in nature – and so – instrumental values are difficult to change. 

For example – the instrumental values of a Public Sector Unit (PSU) will differ from that of an Multi-National Corporation (MNC) – though both may be in the same business.

Since they are permanent in nature – Instrumental Values are difficult to change.

TERMINAL VALUES

In our personal lives – Terminal Values are those things that we work towards – or those things we think are most important – or things that we feel are most desirable. 

Terminal Values are desirable states of existence. 

Terminal Values include things like happiness, self respect, family security, recognition, freedom, inner harmony, comfortable life, professional excellence, etc

In a nutshell – Terminal Values signify the objectives of the life of a person – the ultimate things the person wants to achieve through his or her behaviour – the destination the person wants to reach in life. 

In contrast – Instrumental Values indicate the methods an individual would like to adopt for achieving his life’s aim – the path he would like to take to reach his destination.

This applies to organisations as well – and – organizations too exhibit Terminal Values. 

However – Terminal Values can be changed – and this change in Terminal Values can sometimes be seen – when there is a change of Top Management or CEO. 

CAN YOU CHANGE YOUR “VALUES”...? 

INSTRUMENTAL VALUES – NO 

TERMINAL VALUES – YES 

Read this Before you Apply for a Job or Select a Career

(or Before Recruiting a Candidate for a Job)

ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES AND ORGANIZATION BEHAVIOUR

Organisational Values are the key to organisational behaviour. 

So – before you join an organization – you must ensure that there is no conflict in your personal Instrumental Values and the organization’s Instrumental Values 

Yes – there must be no conflict between the Employee’s and Employer’s Instrumental Values – since – Instrumental Values are difficult to change. 

Conversely – the organisation must consider this aspect while interviewing a prospective candidate for recruitment to avoid conflict of Instrumental Values.

However – any mismatch in Terminal Values can be corrected by suitable Induction Training – since Terminal Values can be inculcated or realigned or changed. 

For Example: 

Do you want to join the Defence Services (Armed Forces) – the Army, the Navy or the Air Force...? 

Each Armed Force has its own unique Military Values. 

You too have your own personal Values – “Instrumental Values and “Terminal Values. 

If there is conflict between your own Personal Instrumental Values and Military Instrumental Values – it is best for you to avoid a military career in the Armed Forces. 

However – any mismatch between your Terminal Values and organisational Terminal Values can be corrected during Training. (For example – punctuality can be inculcated). 

This “Values Paradigm” applies to relationships like Marriage too. 

“Terminal Value” mismatches between husband and wife can be smoothed out. 

But – “Instrumental Value” conflicts may cause marital discord and result in irretrievable breakdown of relationship and divorce. 

The Dating/Courtship period is a good time to discover the Values (Instrumental and Terminal) of your Partner and ascertain whether there are any conflict or mismatches in Values between you and your partner. 

If there are some mismatches in “Terminal Values” you can make mutual adjustments to reconcile them and envisage a harmonious relationship. 

However – if there are irretrievable conflicts in “Instrumental Values” – it is best to call off the marriage. 

Dear Reader – introspect – and discover your values – your instrumental values – and – your terminal values. 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. These are my personal views based on my personal experience. Please do your own due diligence while selecting a training philosophy.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

This is an abridged, upgraded and revised version of my lecture on VALUES written be me Vikram Karve more than 25 years ago in the early 1990s and posted online earlier a number of times in my various blogs including in my Academic and Creative Writing Journal Blog in 2011 at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2011/12/instrumental-values-and-terminal-values.html and https://karve.wordpress.com/2012/11/22/instrumental-values-and-terminal-values-the-two-types-of-personal-and-organizational-values/ and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/06/types-of-values-instrumental-values-and.html and https://karvediat.blogspot.com/2018/02/values-instrumental-values-and-terminal.html etc

Adult Education – A Story

ADULT EDUCATION

An Apocryphal Teaching Story

Short Fiction

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Here is an apocryphal story I conjured up long back when I worked in Human Resource (HR) Management and Training. 

I used to narrate this story to my trainees in order to emphasize the importance of “work life balance” . 

I called the story ADULT EDUCATION.

Do tell me if you like it. 

I will look forward to your comments and feedback.

ADULT EDUCATION – an apocryphal teaching story

A passionate HR Trainer once conducted an Adult Education Programme for semi-literate and poorly educated workers in his industrial organization.

The programme was conducted in the evenings after working hours. 

In order to ensure success of this adult education programme – both the trainees and the trainer were motivated by giving them generous amounts of financial incentives like overtime allowance for participation. 

This incentive of extra money ensured maximum attendance from the workers.

The trainer too got a handsome amount of money as incentive. 

Yes – the trainer got a generous amount of overtime for conducting Adult Education Classes. 

Also – in addition to overtime – he was paid an additional bonus per worker attending his classes.

All workers enthusiastically attended the Adult Education classes – except one.

His name was Sukhi Lal. 

Sukhi Lal was the only person who never attended Adult Education Classes despite the huge monetary incentives.

Sukhi Lal would rush home after work the moment the siren rang in the evening. 

Sukhi Lal was almost illiterate but he was not interested in learning anything. 

The Trainer was very disappointed with Sukhi Lal and he decided to motivate Sukhi Lal to join his Adult Education Programme.

One day the Trainer called Sukhi Lal to his office and asked him: “Why don’t you attend the Adult Education classes?”

“What is the use...?” asked Sukhi Lal.

“You will gain more knowledge...” said the wise trainer.

“I am not interested in gaining more knowledge...” said Sukhi Lal, “I am quite happy with whatever I know.”

Observing that the man in front of him was not interested in intellectual enhancement – the trainer tried to lure him with financial motivation.

So the trainer said: “Sukhi Lal. Think of the Money. Yes – you will earn a lot of money. You earn while you learn. You will get plenty of overtime payment plus a generous attendance bonus. You will make lots of extra money if you attend these adult education classes.”

“I am not interested in making more money. I am quite happy and content with what I get...” Sukhi Lal said.

The exasperated trainer then resorted to a last tactic to get him to attend the adult education classes. 

He decided to humiliate Sukhi Lal in front of his co-workers – the trainer decided to publicly shame Sukhi Lal.

Yes – shame is a great motivator. 

The trainer was sure this would hurt Sukhi Lal’s ego – and the public humiliation would surely motivate him to attend the adult education programme. 

At lunchtime – in the canteen – the trainer called Sukhi Lal and all the other workers who attended adult education classes. 

The trainer indicated to everyone else to keep silent. 

Then – in the presence of all the “educated” co-workers – the trainer asked Sukhi Lal: “Who was Issac Newton...?”

“I don’t know...” Sukhi Lal said.

“See. Everyone knows this and you don’t know. Just see how ignorant you are...” the trainer ridiculed Sukhi Lal while all the co-workers shook their heads in agreement and mocked at the ignorance of the clueless Sukhi Lal.

“Who was Albert Einstein...?” the Trainer asked Sukhi Lal. 

“I don’t know...” Sukhi Lal said. 

“Who was CV Raman...?” the Trainer asked Sukhi Lal. 

“I don’t know...” Sukhi Lal said. 

Everyone laughed and jeered at Sukhi Lal’s ignorance and made fun of him. 

But – the trainer was unrelenting – and he kept on asking a hapless Sukhi Lal question after question: 

“Who was Galileo… Faraday… Edison… Bhabha…?”

The barrage of questions and torment went on and on for a long time – until Sukhi Lal got fed up – and he decided not to take the humiliation any more. 

Sukhi Lal suddenly stood up and asked the trainer: “Tell me Who is Chhote Lal...?”

“Chhote Lal...? Never heard of him...” snapped the trainer angrily, “Who is Chhote Lal...?”

“See. You don’t know who Chhote Lal is. But I know who he is...” Sukhi Lal said to the trainer with an  air of superiority, “Chhote Lal is the man who makes love to your wife every evening in your bedroom while you are busy out here conducting these Adult Education Classes. It is you who requires Adult Education – not me.” 

MORAL OF THE STORY (4 Morals of the Story)

1. Educate yourself first – before you embark on trying to educate others

2. Distant Vision sometimes obscures Near Vision 

If you are a “visionary” – you always tend to look too far – and sometimes – you cannot see what is going on under your very own nose

3. Physician – heal thyself

4. Have your priorities right and make sure you pay attention to your “work-life balance”.

Yes – WORK LIFE BALANCE means getting a full value from life – by ensuring a balance between achievement and enjoyment in each of the four quadrants of your life:

1. WORK

2. FAMILY

3. FRIENDS

4. SELF 

On a daily basis – every morning – you must tell yourself:

1. I want to achieve something today – and I want to enjoy something today. 

2. I must manage to do both these things today. Then – for me – it is going to be a good day. 

3. Through “work-life balance” – I must manage to do both of these things each day of my life. 

4. Yes – I must achieve something daily – and – I must enjoy something daily – in all four aspects of my life (work, family, friends, self) – each and every day – for the rest of my life.

5. Then – I am going to have a good life - a happy, satisfying and fulfilling life – well lived.

Dear Reader: Do you agree...? 

Please comment. I look forward to your views and feedback. 

VIKRAM KARVE 

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. 
© vikram karve., all rights reserved. 

Disclaimer:

1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

This Story Posted Earlier in my blogs a number of times earlier inculding at URL: https://karvediat.blogspot.com/2012/12/achievement-and-enjoyment-work-life.html etc 

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

 

The “Monster” – an unfinished story

THE “MONSTER” – an Unfinished Story 

Fiction Short Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Part 1 – MARRIAGE INTERVIEW

The moment the girl saw her future husband – she started trembling with fear.

He looked ferocious – like a barbarian – a savage brute.

Yes – “Monster” – that is first word that came to the delicate girl’s mind when she saw her future husband.

(So – Dear Reader – in this story – we will refer to him as “Monster”…)

The “Monster” looked at the fragile girl – and he said to the girl’s aunt:

“The girl seems very frightened…”

“No. No. She is okay…” the girl’s aunt said.

“She looks very young…”

“No. No. She is 18. Do you want me to get her birth certificate…?”

“Yes. We will require her birth certificate and other documents for her visa. I hope the girl has a passport…”

“Yes. Yes. It has just come…” the girl’s aunt said. “I assure you – she is not a minor…”

“What I meant was that she doesn’t seem ready for marriage…”

“No. No. She is ready for marriage…”

“But – is she ready to marry me…? I am 33 – I am more than 15 years older than her…”

“Of course she wants to marry you…” the girl’s aunt said.

The “Monster” looked at the delicate girl and he asked her:

“Are you sure that you want to get married to me…?”

The girl’s aunt looked sternly at the girl – and – the girl meekly nodded her head.  

And so – a few days later – the delicate 18 year old girl got married to the intimidating 33 year old “Monster”

Part 2 – THE “FIRST NIGHT”

The girl sat on the bedecked bed.

She was still wearing her wedding finery.

The girl looked at the flowers on the bed – “Flowers” for her “Deflowering” ceremony.

Tonight – her husband – the “Monster” – he would “deflower” her.

The girl felt terrified at the thought of what was going to happen to her.

What her uncle had tried to do – her husband would now do – and she could do nothing about it.

When her uncle had tried to rape her – she had fought back – but now – she would have to meekly submit – and surrender her body to her husband’s carnal desires.

The girl heard voices outside the room.

Her husband’s friends wanted to “celebrate” the wedding with a booze party.

She hoped that her husband would get so drunk that he would just “pass out” and go to sleep – unable to “perform” – and her agony would be postponed to another night.

Then – a frightening thought came to her brain – suppose her husband got violently drunk – then he would savage her even more brutally…”

The delicate girl felt terrified as she imagined what was going to happen to her.

Suddenly – she heard her husband’s voice:

“No. I will not drink tonight. You guys enjoy. My wife is waiting for me and I must go to her now…”

The girl saw the door opening.

Her husband – the “Monster” – he entered the bedroom – decorated for the “first-night”.

He looked at his newly-wedded wife – and he said to her:

 “I know we couldn’t go on our honeymoon immediately after our marriage – but don’t worry – once we get back to New Zealand – I will take you to Queenstown – and I will show you all the lovely places in the Southern Alps – we will have a long honeymoon…”

Then – the “Monster” started walking towards the girl.

The “Monster” sat on the bed – he looked at the girl’s face – and he said to the girl:

“Are you feeling okay…? You are sweating – and shivering…”

The terrified girl looked at the “Monster” with beseeching eyes.

The “Monster” looked at his newly-wedded wife and he said to her:

“Okay. I understand. You are not ready for me. You don’t worry. I will not force myself on you. I will come to you only when you want me to come to you. You go to sleep. I will sleep on the sofa…”

And so – on their “first night” – the girl slept on the bed – and her husband – the “Monster” – he slept on the sofa.

PART 3 – MARRIED LIFE

Three months had passed since her marriage to the “Monster”.

Her husband – the “Monster” – he had kept his promise – the promise that he had made to her on their “first night” – that he would not force himself upon her – that he would come to her only when she wanted him to come to her.

So far – she had not asked him to come to her.

And – he had not come to her.

In fact – she had not even spoken a single word to him.

Whenever he would speak to her – she would just meekly nod her head.

She was still terrified of her husband – the “Monster”.

But otherwise – she was quite happy in Auckland.

She liked her house – an independent “cottage” – with a lawn and garden – like most houses in New Zealand.

It was a “joint” family – her husband – his mother – his unmarried sister – they all lived together in the house.

Her husband had come to New Zealand many years ago.

And – after some time – as most Indian Immigrants do – he had brought his widowed mother and small sister as “dependents” to New Zealand.

Her husband – a truck driver – he would be away for days – and he would come home only once in a while.

And – even on those days – he would go out to the pub to drink beer with his “mates” – and come home drunk at night.

And then – he would sleep in the same room as her – but not in the same bed.

Her husband would lay out his mattress on the ground to sleep on.

Maybe her husband slept in the same room as her to keep up appearances of a “normal” marriage – lest his mother suspect that they had not “consummated” the marriage.

This arrangement was fine with her.

After that horrifying incident when her uncle had tried to rape her – she was extremely frightened of sexual intercourse – and felt petrified at the very thought of her “Monster” husband raping her.

Luckily – her husband was home only once in a while – and even on those days – he left her alone.

He hardly talked to her – except to bark orders when he wanted something – and she meekly complied without uttering a word.

Her mother-in-law – her husband’s mother – she ran the household.

Her sister-in-law just lazed around – she was 25 years old – and they were looking for a husband for her.

Her mother-in-law and sister-in-law treated her like a slave – they made her do all the housework – cooking, cleaning, washing – everything.

(In New Zealand – one didn’t have the luxury of “servants” – and you had to do all work yourself…)

She was a full-time servant.

It was quite clear that they had brought her to New Zealand more as a “slave” rather than as a “bride”.

It was a subtle way of “human trafficking”.

But – she preferred this life of “slavery” imposed on her by her domineering mother-in-law – rather than being brutally raped by her fearsome “Monster” husband – of whom she was still terrified.  

One evening – her husband – the “Monster” – he came home after a week – and he said to her: “I want to talk to you – come inside to our room…”

As she meekly followed her husband – her sister-in-law said to her: “Make a cup of tea for me – and some snacks too – I am hungry…”

On hearing this – her husband – the “Monster” – he stopped in his tracks – and – he suddenly turned around.

The “Monster” looked at his sister with angry eyes and shouted at her: “You go and make your tea yourself. She is not your bloody servant – she is my wife…”

On hearing the “Monster” shout angrily – his mother came running into the room and said to her son: “Why are you shouting at your young sister…?”

“I will not allow anyone to treat my wife like a slave…” the “Monster” said to his mother.

“What do you mean by saying that we treat her like a “slave”…?” her husband’s mother said, “isn’t your wife supposed to share the housework…?”

“Share the housework – yes – but not all the housework. Don’t think I have not been noticing – you make her do everything. You make her slog all day and treat her with disdain. I will not tolerate it any longer. My wife must be treated properly. Do you understand…?” the “Monster” shouted at his mother and sister.

The girl saw that her husband – the “Monster” – he was now looking at her.

On seeing her husband’s angry eyes – the girl trembled with fear.

Her husband pointed towards her – and he said to his mother:

“Look at her – see how frightened she looks. She is such an innocent young girl – so fragile – she is suddenly moved to a strange new land – a dainty and delicate girl forcibly married to a rough and coarse man like me – try to imagine how scared she must be feeling – and – instead of comforting her – you bully and browbeat her – and treat her like slave…”.

“Okay. Okay…” the girl’s mother-in-law said sarcastically, “we will treat your wife like a “Maharani” (Queen)…”

“Don’t be sarcastic…” her husband said to his mother, “I want my wife to be treated properly – that’s all…”

“And you…” the girl saw her husband – the “Monster” – he was looking at her – and he said to her, “You look sick. Are you feeling well…?”

The girl looked fearfully at her husband – as if she were dumbstruck with fear.

Her husband shouted at her: “Are you dumb or something…? I haven’t heard you speak a single word since we got married…”

The terrified girl ran into their room.

She waited with fear for her angry husband to come into the room.

But – her husband did not come.

Her husband – the “Monster” – he stormed out of the house and went to his favourite pub – to cool off his anger. 

She woke up from her sleep when her husband entered their room late at night.

He looked all disheveled – his eyes were bloodshot red.  

He seemed to be horribly drunk.

She felt tremors of trepidation.

She shut her eyes tightly.

She pretended to be asleep.

She feigned sleep – hoping he wouldn’t get into the bed beside her.

She was afraid that his dreadfully drunken state – he may rape her.

But – he didn’t get into the bed beside her.

He threw his mattress on the floor and collapsed on it – into deep sleep.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

Next morning – when she woke up – she found that her husband had already gone away. 

Story to be continued… 

VIKRAM KARVE 

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. 
© vikram karve., all rights reserved. 

Disclaimer:

1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

This Story Posted Earlier at URLs: http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-monster-chapter-1.html  and  and   https://karve.wordpress.com/2018/11/20/unfinished-story-the-monster/ and https://karve.wordpress.com/2018/12/18/my-unfinished-stories-the-monster/ and  https://karvediat.blogspot.com/2019/10/unfinished-story-monster-chapter-1.html  and  https://karve.wordpress.com/2019/10/09/unfinished-fiction-short-story-monster/  etc 

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.