Exploring Core Values: What Drives Women vs. Men?
It’s Women’s History Month, so I thought… I wonder what values drive women more than men? I was sure there must have been some clear differentiators based on feminine vs. masculine energy (like compassion and achievement, respectively). But dang, if I wasn’t surprised by what we found regarding women’s core values.
In a side-by-side comparison of the 2,532 people (with a +/- 1.8 percentage point margin of error at a 95% confidence level for my data nerds out there) who have taken our core values quiz, what does the data show us about the core values that drive and motivate women?
Here’s what the data told us…
*Please note that while asked, we did not have a large enough sample size to provide statistically significant data from respondents who identified as other than female or male.
Isn’t it fascinating that, across the board, we say Learning, Growth, and Purpose drive most of us? When humans have experiences that reflect these values, they feel alive. These are the emotional highs people wake up excited about in the morning. And when they don’t, they feel drained.
Looking at the differences between men and women, it stood out that women crave more Connection and Trust. In the top 5 core values, Trust had the largest statistically significant difference between the percentage of women (57%) and the percentage of men (47%).
So why do Connection and Trust drive women more than men? What does this tell us? 🤨
In women’s history, there have certainly been a lot of legitimate reasons to be more intrinsically driven by connection and trust. From pay discrimination to women’s rights to domestic abuse. A strong foundation of mistrust and disconnection is almost programmed into women.
When women started to enter the workforce en masse, self-trust and self-connection were often domesticated out of them. Many women, especially trailblazers, felt they had to play by men’s rules and shut down their intuition in order to be “successful.”
Fast-forward a few generations. Now that women are starting to run the world, self-trust and soul-level connection with yourself are empowered, accessible messages for girls and women alike.
And women are at the helm of cultivating those power skills more often than men. Scan the room at most yoga, meditation, and mindfulness trainings – you’ll see what I mean.
Here’s the deal: And this often gets confused, so I’m here to clarify. Core values are about YOU, not how you want OTHERS to behave.
So, on a personal level, trust and connection with yourself are the best ways to activate those values authentically.
No matter how you identify, here are some tips on how to connect and trust YOURSELF more!
- 👂Listen to your Intuition. This is the ultimate level of connection and trust with yourself! Intuition is directly linked to those values within your heart and soul. But it’s not always that simple to access. It can be easy to “have a strong feeling” about something internally and just as easy to shut it down because it’s not the popular opinion. It takes intention and compassion to tap into your intuitive gifts.
To start, consider meditating for 1-3 minutes in silence. Place your hands on your heart. Breathe deeply. At the end of your practice, ask your heart, “What message do you have for me now?” Listen and accept whatever comes up. No second-guessing required!
The more you practice, the more you connect with yourself and trust what you hear.
- ❤️🩹Forgive Yourself. The best way to keep yourself from real trust and connection is to be mean and beat yourself up about it. Like when you had an intuitive nudge but then shut it down only to regret it later. Then, you chastise yourself for not trusting yourself in the first place! A vicious cycle that can be stopped with self-forgiveness.
Consider what you have been judging yourself for lately and see how you might offer yourself the same grace, compassion, and forgiveness that you would a best friend. Tell yourself that you’re sorry and that you completely accept that apology.
You’ll do better for yourself next time because you know better. Forgiveness allows you to release any self-inflicted pain.
- 🛑Set Boundaries. We often think boundaries are controlling others, but they’re about creating space to love yourself and others. Which means boundaries always start with you! Notice where you’re breaking your boundaries and, therefore, breaking self-trust and connection.
– Is it saying “yes” to things you don’t actually want to do?
– Is it saying “no” to yourself, even when it’s your heart’s desire?
– Is it the way you talk to yourself in your mind?
– Is it the way you push off time with loved ones for work?Boundaries with yourself ultimately ignite more trust and connection with others.
Meet yourself where you are, not where you want to be. And take it one step at a time, without judgment of pace.
💟Curious about your values? Take our free quiz here.
🤫Low Key Confession: We’ve been collecting this dynamic values data for over a year, and this was the first time we actually analyzed it. Big thanks to the guidance of research expert Susan Baier!
🔎 Got a question that you think our values research might answer? Reply to this email, and we’ll let you know. I can’t wait to hear what you’re curious about!
When you are ready, here are three ways we can help you.
💻Knowing and Living Your Values: During my 10-day course, you’ll identify your unique values, see where you’re currently activating them, and make small tweaks where you’re not so that every day is filled with purpose. Join 7,500+ Students Here.
👥Alignment Coaching: Want more trust and connection with yourself? Work with me 1×1 to reduce stress and ignite more well-being without compromising your impact. Fill out this inquiry form to see if we’re a good fit for one another.
🎤Hire MaryBeth to Speak: Have an all-staff event, annual meeting or conference coming up? I will inspire your audience to give themselves and others, permission to be human, unleashing higher productivity, profit, and purpose through shared values. Learn more here.