Cherish What Can Not Be Measuerd!

While writing 'Value-Based Leadership', a thought struck me—was it mere coincidence that has bound me so closely to the word Value?

By profession, I am a valuer—a Fellow of the Institution of Valuers (India), approved by many banks and financial institutions. Over the years, I have conducted valuations worth hundreds of crores of rupees. At times, I faced challenges, even setbacks, when oversight or misjudgment crept into the delicate task of assigning worth to a brand.

I have always believed that value addition is essential to delight the customer. Decades ago, I even conducted training programs on the concept of the ‘Delighted Customer’.

During introspection, a question arose: What is my value? Though I am a property valuer, I have always considered the intangible aspects—the brand, the perception—while valuing. This led me to reflect on the difference between cost, price, and value:

•     Cost is the expenditure incurred in producing a good.

•     Price is what the seller sets, adding profit over cost.

•     Value is the perception in the mind of the receiver and giver, which differs from person to person.

A simple example illustrates this truth. On my 50th birthday, my wife gifted me a Parker pen. Its market price may have been ₹300–400, but to me, it is priceless. Even if someone offered thousands of rupees, I would refuse, because its true worth lies not in money but in the love and memory it carries. That distinction between cost, price, and value became the foundation of my reflections on leadership.

As I write ‘Value-Based Leadership’, I ask: What is Value? What is Belief? And What is the Principle? Stephen Covey, whom I deeply admire, wrote about ‘Principle-Centered Leadership’. I have used his principles in my training programs. Yet, I feel compelled to write about Value-Based Leadership, because values are the essence of identity, conviction, and integrity.

I have long believed that good people should enter politics, though today it often resembles “washing dirty linen in public.” Years ago, I even considered seeking candidature for the Lok Sabha elections. A friend reminded me that such an endeavor required 20–30 crores—and today, far more.

I replied, half in jest but more in conviction: “I may not have that kind of money, but I am a man of hundreds of crores in worth.”

Thank God the attempt did not materialise. Yet the experience reinforced a truth I have always believed: ‘Value is perception’.

Let your value be the perception of others, but never lose sight of your own. You must always know your true value—because that is what sustains you, even when circumstances falter.

Dear Readers, perhaps you too possess something whose true worth cannot be measured in money. Cherish it, preserve it, and take pride in the meaning it carries in your life! .

Destiny does not measure us by cost or price, but by the values we live!  

Dr. Mahendra Ingale @Pune on Nov 22, 2025