Leading with Values: Why It’s Essential for Successful Leadership

Leadership is an essential aspect of any organisation, we all know that, but what makes a leader great? There’s no one answer to that question, but I would have to say, that having strong values (and known) is a fundamental component of successful leadership. A leader who doesn’t identify or understand their values can only lead unconsciously and without intention. This blog post explores why values are essential in leadership and how they shape the choices and actions of successful leaders.

Guidance and Direction

A leader’s values are essential because they provide guidance and direction in the decision-making process. Values act as a compass, pointing a leader towards a particular direction and help them make informed decisions even in ambiguous situations. It is easy to make decisions based on self-interest, but a leader who considers their values when making decisions invests their time and energy into creating a stable and sustainable organization. A leader with strong values can map a clear path for their team and organisation. I wouldn’t want to follow someone who wasn’t clear on where they were going or why.

Interactions with their Team

Beyond the decision-making process, values can also shape a leader’s interactions with their team. Leaders with strong values are generally respected and trusted because they are consistent. They are often more effective at building relationships with team members. A leader who leads with integrity and authenticity tend to be more respectful, honest, and open with others. This creates a sense of safety between the leader and the team, ultimately leading to increased employee morale, motivation and thus, improved productivity.

Leading with Integrity

Let’s talk more about integrity. A leader’s values also define their ethical standards, and this shapes their leadership style. When leaders lead with integrity, they make principled decisions that align with their values, even when it is a hard call. This informs honest and transparent dealings. Leaders who exhibit integrity are more successful at inspiring their team, stakeholders, and clients to buy into their vision of forward-thinking.

Steadfast Leadership

Leadership is not a straight line, but a series of ebbs and flows. Storms are inevitable, but taking the right steps to navigate through them is essential. A leader with values can stay true to their convictions during hard times. The steering force of values steadies their responses in the time of crisis, and they are better adept at rebounding after a hardship. The ability to lead with intention and remain committed to values in times of uncertainty is a significant hallmark of successful leadership.

Organisational Success

A strong leader with values creates a culture of shared values in their organisation, which ultimately drives success. That is not to say all of their values are those of the organisation, but they are generally aligned, rather than conflicting. The way they lead becomes the modelled best practice which creates the culture. Teams with shared values contribute to a more cohesive and focused work environment, leading to better outcomes. A leader who is explicit about values ensures that they are embedded in the organization’s DNA. Identifying, articulating and selecting values can take time and effort, but the payoff is tremendous, enhancing the organization’s ability to innovate, solve problems, and drive growth.

Conclusion:

In summary, a leader who doesn’t understand or identify their values leads unconsciously, and their choices and actions are detached. Values offer guidance, direction, and purpose to leaders, shaping their decision-making process, interaction with team members, and ethical standards. It helps steadies their response in uncertainty and enhances the organization’s ability to achieve its goals. Leaders with a central navigation system continue honing their leadership style, and in the end, that’s precisely the kind of leader we would willingly follow – a leader who leads with intention through their values.