You're a gem! But what makes you valuable?

I'm standing open-mouthed in front of a spiral of nearly 200 sparkling gemstone rings, bequeathed to the V&A Museum in 1869 ??.

Their donor, one Reverend Chauncey Hare Townshend was a "19th-century English poet, clergyman, mesmerist, collector, dilettante and hypochondriac".

(What a name and what a Wikipedia entry ??)

And old Chancey certainly knew a fabulous bit of bling when he saw it.

Lord knows how much they must be worth??????

But interestingly there's no mention of their monetary value. They were collected and arranged instead according to the so-called "Mohs scale", with the hardest gems (diamonds) at the centre radiating out to the softest (apophyllite and euclase, don't ya know?).

Saturday's visit to the Jewellery Galleries at the V&A really got me thinking about value.

Because, yes, you'll see some of the most expensive stones in the world on display ??

But far more compelling are their unusual origins, their quirky traits and cuts, their peculiar or famous owners, or the creative way they've been set.

Send a piece of jewellery to auction, and its final price isn't simply about the basic value of the ruby or sapphire at its centre.

It's about the connection potential buyers form with its whole story.

So I wonder, what makes you valuable?

Of course, your ability to contribute to the financial success of your employer or indeed to your own business is important.

But thank God most of us aren't hired simply as a number on a spreadsheet. (And if we are, we soon start to feel unseen and underappreciated. Just talk to most folks whose work is founded on billable hours) ??

Because for work to be fulfilling, most people need to know they're valued for their unique gifts, their multiple facets and their distinctive experiences.

And encouraged to bring those into their work, play to their strengths and really use their talents.

So, stepping into 2025, what do you want to be valued for this year?

?? What aspects of your work would you like others to notice or appreciate more?

?? In an ideal scenario, how would you want others to describe your professional value?

?? Are there specific areas where you feel undervalued? Why do you think that is?

?? What do you want to be known for in your industry or among your peers?

?? If you were to write your professional legacy, what key contributions or traits would you want to highlight? (even if your name will never be Chauncey Hare Townshend ??)

This year I want to go big on professional communication and presentation skills. Marrying my career coaching work and my BBC presenting background. So you'll be seeing more from me on that.

How do YOU want to bring value?

Come on, let's do this.

Stay curious,

Rachel

PS. It's one thing to know inside what you want to be valued for. Quite another to let that be known. So get sharing!

PPS. A great way to highlight your value is through how you position yourself on LinkedIn. After a minor blip yesterday (oops, sorry) I've extended the ￡10 discount on my online course "Shine on LinkedIn" until midnight tonight (Monday)!! Use the code NEWYEAR2025 to take the price from ￡99 to a delicious ￡89.