It is important know the difference between a value-oriented approach and an anti-value approach because the latter is often passed off as the former. No one explicitly says that he or she is against value. However, they will define value in a way that is not conducive to rational or constructive value (i.e. is not conducive to logical analysis, rational deduction, and educated hypotheses). Constructive values like skill in communicating, must be important to the individual. They must also become habits. The daily procedures that contribute to developing this skill are regularly practiced. This requires discipline, self-restraint, and self-reliance. However, if there is a significant cultural pressure on individuals to be dependent and undisciplined, it becomes extremely difficult to develop these traits without some level of inner-strength or independence. Therefore, the circular nature of the cultural trends is obvious. Without inner-strength, skill and competence are hard to develop in an environment that discourages the development of inner-strength. How is inner-strength developed then?
The answer to this question returns back to value. Whether or not a particular value like the ability to concentrate is popular in culture, concentration still remains a critical value. Therefore, to develop inner-strength this realization must remain steady. Concentration is the basis for ability. For, it is only through concentrating and the practice of concentrating on some task that an individual develops expertise at the task. Typing and driving are obvious examples. To become efficient, effective, and competent in driving or typing requires practice. However, it requires more than that. It also requires focused practice. Individuals have to pay attention to what they are doing to be able to learn when and how to turn left, to turn right, or to stop. This applies to both typing and driving. To develop competence or expertise also requires a concentrated awareness of what how it “feels” to type or to drive at a particular moment. This is sometimes called intuition. An activity can become “intuitive,” but that does not necessarily indicate expertise. Weight training is another example. Someone gain a lot of strength and muscle mass by doing exercises inappropriately or with poor form. This increases the chances for severe injury. Therefore, knowing how to perform some task depends not just on doing the task robotically, but in doing the task conscientiously. This precludes the practice of performing tasks with music blaring in the background, incessant chatter, or in a feeble attempt to “multi-task.” Cultural pressures and practices to do work in ways that severely limit the ability to concentrate while “multi-tasking” for example—which just means while distracting one’s self and failing to concentrate—leads to poorer quality work. It also leads to the lack of ability to concentrate. For, concentration like any skill depends on practice. The same is true of listening. In fact, to listen is to concentrate. That is why it is important to understand the importance of fundamental values like concentration and what is required to develop them before considering what it means to communicate, manage, or lead.