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Jul
7
Traditions vs. Values
Filed Under Rant
I was in a meeting a few weeks ago brainstorming some new ways to approach an event that has been held for over 75 years. The event today is completely different from the way it started, but for the most part, it has been held hostage to the same rhythm and reason for the last decade, if not longer.
Not five minutes into the conversation and some in the meeting were already feeling threatened. The look on the face of the guy next to me screamed “How dare we consider changing our event in such a way!”
The conversation turned out to be very fruitful and everyone left the meeting feeling heard and harkened to consider and explore meaningful alternatives to next year’s event.
Since this meeting, I’ve been thinking a lot about traditions and values.
Traditions guard.
Values guide.
Traditions perpetuate the good and the bad.
Values parse the good from the bad.
Traditions make way for the predictable.
Values make way for the potential.
Traditions are inherited.
Values are imbedded.
Traditions can stall progress.
Values can stimulate progress.
Traditions can be eliminated.
Values can be illuminated.
Traditions can stop a company.
Values can sustain a company.
Traditions are neutral to meaning.
Values are necessary to meaning.
Traditions are contextual.
Values are collective.
What do you think?
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2 Responses to “Traditions vs. Values”
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I think that we should listen to the song of the fiddler on the roof. Both values and traditions can change, but the process can be agonizing.
Values can be deeply imbedded, like you said, or they can be without a tap root that grows into the generations. I wonder which of the values you and Jamaica hold have been influenced by culture and tradition and have stood their testing.
I think this is profound. I’m going to chew on it for a few days; I’m going to encourage my friends to do so, too…then we’re going to talk about it.
I’d buy the book if you wrote it. Seriously. Thanks!