Tag: Sydney CBD

Values in Action: Observations from Sydney’s Streets and the Art of Effective Pitching

I have long been aware that I am not the right person to pitch for funding for a charity. A recent incident in Elizabeth St in the Sydney CBD was a light bulb moment and an opportunity to identify the right person for the role

Photo source – Deposit Photos

Background

Lynne walking in Sydney’s CBD, notices a young man with an open backpack containing pieces of wood, posing a safety risk. Initially surprised, she becomes concerned but hesitates to intervene as the man is on the phone. At a traffic light, two other young men alert the backpack owner to the danger. The man, still on the phone, asks them to zip up his backpack and crosses the street, seemingly unconcerned. This scenario highlights different reactions and value systems among the individuals involved.

What happened next.

I consulted an ethics specialist to analyse the responses of the three individuals in the incident using Schwartz’s values. The expert then crafted a brief for a story, which I’ll use to create a talk. This talk will focus on understanding personal strengths and selecting the right person for a given role, leveraging insights from the value mapping exercise.

Here is the result.

In this story, Lynne’s initial reaction of surprise, quickly shifting to concern for safety, suggests she is observant and possesses a strong sense of responsibility. Her hesitation to intervene might indicate a respect for social boundaries or an aversion to confrontation, especially when the young man is on the phone.

The two young men who spoke up display assertiveness and a direct approach to problem-solving. They didn’t hesitate to interrupt and address a potential safety issue, showing a proactive and possibly more extroverted nature.

As for the young man with the backpack, his continued phone conversation and reliance on others to fix the problem could indicate a level of detachment or lack of awareness about his surroundings. His reaction might also suggest a more laid-back or unconcerned attitude towards potential risks.

 

Aligning the attitudes in the story with Schwartz’s values:

 

  1. Lynne: Her initial curiosity and subsequent concern for safety align with the values of ‘Benevolence’ (concern for the welfare of others) and ‘Security’ (safety and stability of society). Her hesitation to intervene might indicate a lean towards ‘Conformity’, valuing social order and avoiding upsetting others.

 

  1. The Two Young Men: Their assertive action reflects ‘Self-Direction’ (independent thought and action) and ‘Universalism’ (understanding and protection for the welfare of all). They display a willingness to break social norms for the greater good, indicating less emphasis on ‘Conformity’.

 

  1. The Man with the Backpack: His detached response and reliance on others suggest less concern for ‘Conformity’ and ‘Security’. His casual attitude might align with ‘Hedonism’ (pleasure or gratification for oneself), focusing on his phone conversation rather than the immediate social situation.

 

Lynne’s strong focus on the greater good, aligned with benevolence and universalism in Schwartz’s values, may inadvertently limit her ability to effectively pitch her ideas. This is because her approach might overlook the individual or organisational interests of her audience. In a pitch, it’s often crucial to address ‘what’s in it for them’ – aligning with values like achievement or power, which focus on personal or organisational benefits and successes. Understanding and appealing to these varied value systems can make her pitches more persuasive and resonant with diverse audiences.

So armed with this knowledge I then asked the values expert to identify the ideal person for effective pitching

This is their answer:

  1. Self-Direction: Independence in thought and action, crucial for innovative and creative pitch ideas.
  2. Achievement: Seeking success and demonstrating competence, important for convincingly presenting a pitch.
  3. Power: Valuing social status, control, or dominance over people and resources, helpful in persuasive communication.
  4. Universalism: Understanding, appreciation, and protection for the welfare of all, enabling a pitch that appeals to broader interests and values.
  5. Stimulation: Seeking excitement, novelty, and challenges in life, essential for dynamic and engaging presentations.

These values contribute to a person’s ability to effectively communicate, persuade, and connect with diverse audiences.

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