Our principles, values, or beliefs are the lenses
through which we see the world. The optimist sees
opportunities and challenges; the pessimist sees threats
and problems. Our core values are critical to
effectively leading people.
Our values are our own. Each of us has a hierarchy of
values, from high to low. Things like health, family,
integrity, innovation, teamwork, judgment, love,
friendship, adventure, status, and the like. Our values
determine our priorities. Do we stay late to finish a
project or go home for dinner? Do we watch TV or go for
a walk?
Our values will often conflict with one another. They
create many and/or paradoxes to be managed. The conflict
between work and family creates many conflicts.
Companies have principles and values as well. Studies
have shown those companies with 'high standards of
ethical behavior' or 'shared values' have much higher
than average performance. Some benefits include:
- Everyone makes more consistent choices using a
shared hierarchy of values.
- People spend less time playing political games.
- Trust, tolerance, and forgiveness levels
increase.
- Morale, pride, and team identity are enhanced.
Failure to live your values creates the
'rhetoric-reality' gap. Managers need to 'walk the
talk.' What managers do speaks louder than what they
say. Never make a promise you can't keep, and keep every
promise you make.
The Pygmalion effect is key to achieving peak
performance. If managers expect people to behave like
immature, irresponsible kids, that's what they generally
get. Whether you think they're eagles or turkeys,
they'll prove you're right.