Value in a Workscape
For employees, volunteers, caregivers, collaborators, and anyone navigating work-like contexts
Understanding value in a workscape
The Value in a Workscape perspective explores how value is experienced and exchanged across contexts where people do work-like activity, whether paid or unpaid. Workscapes include employment, volunteering, caregiving, and collaborations where effort meets purpose.
Understanding value in this way encourages more intentional choices, mutual appreciation, and satisfying exchanges in everyday work-like contexts. It helps people make better decisions about where and how they act, and how they want to experience activities within their workscape.
From 'employee' to 'workscape'
This deck of cards was originally called the Employee-Employer Version under the Self unLimited™ brand. It focused on value exchanges between an employee and their employer. However, work stretches far beyond traditional employment. People contribute, collaborate, and create value in many ways that do not fit neatly into a job description.
The updated Value in a Workscape framing reflects the broader view of work-like activity. It includes paid roles, unpaid contributions, volunteering, caregiving, and community involvement.
If you already own the Employee Value Exchange cards, they remain fully relevant.
Why it matters
People often feel unsure about that nature of value flowing in their workscape exchanges and what makes those exchanges meaningful.
A Value Exchange Ledger™ helps individuals reflect on their relationship with work-like activity. It surfaces insights and enables you to make clearer, more grounded choices. It can bring relief, reduce stress, and spark creativity by making what is valuable visible and discussable. A Value Creation Plan, extends the ledger to an actionable plan for creating value for yourself and those that matter to you. (And there are more methods and artefacts in the hub for value-based conversations in a workscape context.)
The value element cards are a key tool, providing a vocabulary for value conversations about what matters in any part of your workscape. It makes it easier to talk about expectations, contributions, and opportunities in ways that feel constructive and human.
Questions that are explored:
- What am I contributing? Is it what I want to contribute? What do I want to contribute?
- What do I want to claim? What can I claim?
- What can I create for myself, for others who matter to me, or with others I work alongside? What have I created that I and others can appreciate?
- What is my value proposition to others?
The concept of value exchange
Hear founder and creator Helen Palmer, share about this simple and powerful concept as it relates to a workscape context.
UPDATED VIDEO COMING IN 2026!
Workscape value element cards
- 75 value element cards for workscape context
- Instruction booklet for the Workscape Value Exchange Ledger™ method (simple version)
- Workscape Value Exchange Ledger™ sheet (A4 printed; PDF available)
- Workscape Value-based Decision Moments poster (A4 printed; PDF available)
Cards available in printed and digital formats (English only).
Resources to go deeper
Dive into these free resources to deepen your understanding
Roles for a workscape context
The workscape context will be meaningful to people in these roles.
What others are saying
The stories and experiences of others can inspire you to action
The VL Ledger activity helped me to appreciate and place real value on the work I currently do. This was no cookie cutter approach! A highly recommended way to explore possibilities and get out of it what you need.
~ Joanne Mihelcic, Consultant
I didn’t realise the depth and power of the cards until I used them. They bring clarity, insight and a renewed sense of adventure for life!
~ Matt Mulrine, Coach and Advisor
I’m feeling really good about my upcoming Performance Review. Even if my boss only reads my thoughts on her own and we don’t have time to discuss, I’m glad I mapped out my workscape value exchange. I probably saved about 2-3 hours of time struggling with words simply by doing the card exercise in 20 minutes over lunch. AMAZING!
~ Anon
I really appreciate the value element cards. They’re such a great idea. I used them recently: There was a potential job opportunity that was going to be advertised, so I had a chat with the would-be supervisor to understand more about the role. I had already picked out my top value elements, and used them to show what value I could provide and what value I was looking for. It helped both of us realise that that particular job opportunity was not a great fit, but at least it was one I could then cross off the list! I’m sure I will keep using the cards in future conversations.
~ Claudia Feiloivao, Corporate Innovation Lead
Having used the Value Exchange Ledger activity in a brilliant workshop with Helen – it got people thinking and revealed how much they cared about their work and how low they valued income. Back in the office, Managers picked up the Value Exchange Ledger activity in their own teams to have a deeper conversation about what matters.
~ Michelle O’Sullivan, Senior Manager – OD, Land Use Victoria
A bit of calm finally and I want to thank you for the time and value you’ve added to my view and perspective on guiding my future! I’ve recently made a decision to change my professional path – and amidst our current state of social health issues I wondered, did I make the right choice? But thanks to your guidance with the Value Exchange Ledger activity, I have clarity and consider that the choice was right. Thank you sincerely again!
~ Latoya Nivore, Change Management Director
Ready, set, go!
Opportunities for you to explore value in a workscape