leadingtoday.org
Leadership Tip of the Month
May
2001
Copyright 2001 ã weLEAD, Inc.
What Are Your Values!
Organizational
values are the guiding principles that state how the employees beginning with management,
intend to conduct their behavior and do business. These values, will determine what kind of a company will develop and become
the foundation of the organizations culture.
They are an important part of individuality for both the organization and
individuals! Values deal with preferences, perceptions, judgments and behavior.
This belief system has a profound influence on the input, throughput and output
processes of any person or group.
Many
businesses articulate a set of values to emphasize their own distinctiveness or
drive it’s competitive advantage. On an organizational level, these values
should include a respect for all of the stakeholders. This includes its
customers, employees, suppliers, and stockholders. Another important value is
approval for and willingness to support needed change efforts within the
organization.
Some
leaders have viewed their values as contingent upon the situation or their immediate needs. This is a
recipe for long-term disaster. In reality, effective leadership is not based
on the contingency of times or circumstances but on the most fundamental of
moral values: respect for people. In this essential ethical value, there is no
room for contingencies. Trust is the emotional glue that bonds leaders and
followers together. When followers feel manipulated or treated dishonestly they
cease being committed supporters and become resistant.
Value-based
leadership is a philosophy and attitude about people and processes. It is
founded on integrity, open communication, respect, feedback and ethical
behavior. The hearts and minds of followers are energized by inclusion and
participation. Leadership should provide a durable and persuasive sense of
purpose and direction. It recognizes that in order for an organization to
overcome resistance to change, the leaders must start by changing themselves!
In this way the leader inspires others to join and lead in the transformation.
When this occurs, one becomes in the words of James O’Toole, a leader of leaders.
Here are some of the qualities of
a value-based leader...
- A
demonstration of professionalism.
- Acts in accordance with organizational values.
- Actively supports and promotes company values.
- Introduces values
to new associates and followers.
- Views oneself as a role model for company and personal
values.
Don’t overlook or underestimate the
importance and influence of values. The right values will mean commitment,
balance and the ability to accept change. The wrong values will mean coercion,
instability and resistance to needed change.
For weLEAD, this is Greg Thomas
reminding you that it was Seneca
who once said,
“If a man does not know what port
he is steering for, no wind is favorable to him.”
To learn more about leadership go to
the weLEAD Home Page!