Chief Change Officer Podcast Summary
Episode #392: Robert MacPhee - From Parking Cars to Coaching Clarity—Lessons from a Chicken Soup Insider (Part Two)
Release Date: May 26, 2025
Host: Vince Chan
Introduction
In Episode #392 of the Chief Change Officer podcast, host Vince Chan engages in a profound conversation with Robert MacPhee, author of Of Living a Values Based Life and creator of the Excellent Decisions leadership model. This two-part series delves deep into the significance of personal values, their evolution, and their practical application in both personal and professional realms.
Personal Journeys and Values Alignment
Vince Chan opens the discussion by sharing a personal anecdote about his brief tenure as a Chief People Officer, emphasizing the critical role of value alignment in professional settings.
“[00:13] A: ...I believe in being true and ethical in both words and deeds. While he thrived on a man-made facade of showmanship and hypocrisy, knowing my values made the decision clear.”
This experience sets the stage for Robert MacPhee’s insights on living a values-based life. Robert underscores the importance of identifying and adhering to one's core values to achieve genuine happiness and success.
Identifying and Implementing Values
Vince raises a pivotal question about the challenges of not only identifying personal values but also consistently practicing them.
“[02:00] A: ...Even with the best intentions, staying mindful and consistent isn't easy. How do you suggest we monitor and sustain our actions to align with our values?”
Robert MacPhee responds by highlighting the difference between mere discussion and actionable implementation of values.
“[04:29] B: ...Sometimes people can get caught up in the words that really sound good and will make a good impression on someone else... But where the rubber really hits the road, where this really makes a difference in people's lives, is when we start to apply it.”
Robert introduces the Four A's Framework for implementing values:
- Assessment: Evaluate where you stand with each of your values.
- Area: Choose an area to focus on.
- Action: Identify specific actions to enhance that value in your chosen area.
- Accountability: Establish mechanisms to ensure follow-through.
He illustrates this with his personal priorities:
“[05:50] B: ...my relationship with my children is number one on my list... contribution is second on my list...”
The Evolution of Values Over Time
Vince inquires about the fluidity of values as individuals navigate different life stages and experiences.
“[09:16] A: Do values change over time with new experiences and perspectives?”
Robert MacPhee affirms that values are not static and evolve with life’s circumstances.
“[09:24] B: Oh, absolutely, yeah. ...values change. But they're definitely not fixed.”
He provides examples of how personal experiences, such as caring for a sick family member, can shift one's priority list:
“[10:30] B: ...her family and her relationships were probably already on her list. But that specific relationship and caring for her mother... had been bumped right up to the top...”
Balancing Core Values with Situational Demands
Vince explores the concept of maintaining core values like honesty while adapting their application in varying contexts, such as transitioning from corporate life to entrepreneurship.
“[12:47] A: ...the interpretation or perception of honesty evolves over time as I play new roles and build up different experiences.”
Robert MacPhee elaborates on the flexibility of values without compromising their essence.
“[15:03] B: ...Sometimes being kind and caring and calm and peaceful is not the most important quality... Sometimes it's things like discipline and strength and focus...”
He emphasizes that borrowing values for situational demands complements rather than contradicts one’s core values.
“[16:10] B: ...being strong, being disciplined, being focused does not conflict with being kind and caring... It's almost bringing in extra team members to get more done like that.”
Practical Steps to Define and Live Your Values
As the conversation approaches its conclusion, Robert MacPhee offers actionable steps for listeners to identify and embody their values.
-
Exploring Priorities:
- Robert:
“[18:34] B: ...set a timer for three to five minutes and asking yourself the question, what is important to me?...”
- Robert:
-
Defining Ways of Being:
- Robert:
“[19:00] B: ...finish a sentence. It is important to me to be blank...”
- Robert:
He encourages consistency in revisiting and refining one’s values to navigate life’s changing landscapes effectively.
“[20:30] B: ...keep revisiting and clarifying what our highest values are.”
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Vince Chan wraps up the episode by highlighting the essence of the discussion:
“[21:47] A: I like your quote. Without implementation, it's just a nice conversation. Thank you so much, Robert.”
Robert MacPhee leaves the audience with an invitation to actively engage in defining their values and implementing them to drive meaningful change.
“[18:34] B: The invitation that I would want to leave people with is to do two things...”
Key Takeaways
- Value Alignment is Crucial: Personal and professional fulfillment stems from aligning actions with core values.
- Values are Dynamic: They evolve with life experiences and changing circumstances.
- Implementation is Key: Identifying values is the first step; consistent practice and accountability ensure they guide actions effectively.
- Practical Frameworks Help: Utilizing structured approaches like the Four A's can facilitate the integration of values into daily life.
- Flexibility Without Compromise: Adapting the expression of core values in different contexts does not dilute their importance.
Notable Quotes
-
Vince Chan:
“If you feel stuck in your current workplace, it's not necessarily your fault. Often it's just a misalignment of values.”
[00:13] -
Robert MacPhee:
“Talk is cheap. I believe talk and talk and walk the walk matters when it comes to implementation of values.”
[04:29] -
Robert MacPhee:
“Imagine how that would change... if more people were really clear about what their highest values were.”
[07:45] -
Vince Chan:
“Without implementation, it's just a nice conversation.”
[21:47]
Final Thoughts
Episode #392 of the Chief Change Officer podcast offers a profound exploration of personal values, their significance, and the practical steps to embody them authentically. Robert MacPhee's insights provide listeners with the tools to navigate their value systems, ensuring that their actions consistently reflect their deepest beliefs and aspirations. This episode reinforces the podcast’s mission to empower individuals to outgrow themselves by fostering wisdom in action, clarity in thought, and ambition in motion.
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