Values Are the Foundation for Influential Leadership
Dr. David Rafeedie
When you hear the word "values," what do you think about it? Does a particular person come to mind? Perhaps an organization with which you recently had some business dealings? What words come to mind when you think of values? Honesty? Integrity? Priorities? Do you think words like "good" or "evil" or "selfish" or "selfless?"
Here is a general, non-partisan question. Look at the words and behaviors of those who govern us; what values do you think are important to them? How about the last time you went shopping, based on your experience, what values do you think the store holds dear?
The dictionary defines values as a person's principles or standards of behavior, one's judgment of what is important in life.
That same definition applies to teams and organizations too. Values are the drivers that determine essential aspects of one's life and profession. Values determine our behavior and inform our judgment. You can always tell a person's values by how they behave, their priorities, and how they spend their money. Hopefully, their actions and words align. You always do what is important to you, not what you say is important to you. Hopefully, those two things are the same thing. But many leaders and teams have professed values, but those declared values do not necessarily inform their thinking or behavior. I don't mean that in a pejorative sense, just a statement differentiating professed, and maybe aspirational values, versus the values reflected in what we say and what we do. That is, the real values we live and work by.
One can see the values people believe. We can see them in how they do business and the way they treat people. Values can be seen in the priorities of an organization or a team. What percentage of money is spent where is another indicator of values. Values express themselves in thought, speech, and behavior. You know the old saying, "talk is cheap"? That is undoubtedly a truism when it comes to values.
Strong values bring invaluable benefits to leadership, teams, and organizations. They exponentially increase the effectiveness and morale of the team and your reputation in the community.
Values Inform your direction by helping to determine your vision which reflects the values you believe. Your vision flows from your mission, but the vision is grounded in your values. You want your future to be an expression of what is important to you.
Values determine your priorities in life, in your profession, or in business. Do you cut corners, or do you do what is best even though it may cost more? Are you committed to what is best or what is expedient? Sometimes values have a cost. The question is, are you willing to pay it?
Values steer your leadership, including your decision-making and how you treat your team members. I would say to the degree you influence your team or organization is directly related to the values you live and work by. Strong values engender respect, and without respect, there is no influence. You may have a formal leadership role that people respect, but they will not respect you, and you will not have the influence that flows from respect without the right values.
Values drive culture. The standards you live and work by develop over time into your team and organization's culture, for good or for bad. As I have stated many times, leaders of teams and organizations initiate and embed the culture. So the leaders' values are critical to the kind of culture that brings collaboration and innovation or a culture that values risk avoidance and the status quo.
Values guide how you treat people. How you treat people, the customer service you bring to the table either establish a good reputation or a bad one. If treating people well and showing them respect is one of your values, your clients, customers, and team members will show loyalty. People view you through your values grid because your thoughts, words, and behavior are run through the same grid.
All this begs the question, on what foundation is your leadership built? As a practical exercise, here are some questions to consider. I encourage you to reflect on them and write down the answers. Then make any changes you feel are necessary.
What values do you and your team use to operate? What are your leadership values? Do your life values impact how you lead and how you interact with people? I am not talking about your professed values but the values that determine how you live and work.
Is it easy to change a leader, team, or organization's values to reflect how you want to live and work? No, it is not always easy. It takes will and work. I would love to partner with you to help you determine or reset your team or organization's values and align what you say and do to reflect those values? The rewards are numerous and result in greater effectiveness and success. I am passionate about working with leaders like you for positive change and growth. Email me at info@davidthecoach.com, text me, or feel free to call me on 520-709-1860. If you like, text me your phone number, and I will contact you to start a conversation to explore a coaching relationship.
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