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Mar 05 2014

Leader Know Thyself – Values

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There’s a common misconception that you’ve probably heard quite often. “That person doesn’t have any values.”

That’s wrong. Everyone has values. They are an internal force that tends to control our actions. When I work with groups creating strategic plans we do a short exercise to identify values and I find that most people will express very similar values. But, do they really mean it?

Sometimes the values they espouse and the values they actually practice can be quite different. As a leader, you can cite a list of values all you want, but your people are going to be much more aware of the values you demonstrate.

You can tell them you value integrity, but the first time you lie to them, your integrity is shot.

That’s why it’s important for a leader to clearly understand what their values are and then live by them. Remember that real values are not situational. In fact, the way you act under stress tends to be a much better descriptor of your values than anything you say. That’s what your people are going to see as your real values.