Firstly, you must understand that your core values define your character. In fact, we can agree that values produce character.
Values-based leadership is the idea that leaders should draw on their own and followers’ values for direction and motivation. This means that Values-based leadership philosophy asserts that people are mostly motivated by values and live according to these beliefs. In other words, values are our most natural motivators.
So, let me ask you this, what values do you produce in your leadership style?
This is important to take note of, as team members are most likely to follow leaders that demonstrate values in their style of leadership, and this is what makes them so attractive. Team members are most likely to follow leaders that demonstrate core values they value or aspire to value.
These include, but are not limited to:
- Respect. As demonstrated by self-respect and respecting others regardless of differences; treating others with dignity, empathy and compassion; and the ability to earn the respect of others.
- Making a Difference
- Integrity
- Authenticity
- Courage
- Service
- Humility
- Wisdom
- Consistency
Why does value based leadership matters so much?
Like I mentioned earlier in this article, values produce character. Therefore, I strongly belief that people follow Leaders not because of their skills or the way they look, or the way they are so charismatic, but because of their character. When a Leader leads with character, their followers follow them out of love, admiration and gratitude not fear. Character based leaders tend to have a more servant style approach to their leadership style. This way they can extract value out of their followers and in turn add value.
Think about this:
Before World War 1 the Character Ethic was believed to be the foundation when we talk about effective leadership. Qualities like humility, integrity, patience, modesty, courage and service mattered more when we thinking about successful Leadership.
In this modern day of age, a paradigm shifted more towards the Personality ethic to define effective leadership. Today, Effective Leadership became more based upon the function of public image, social status, attitudes, skills and techniques. Other parts of this Personality ethic approach to leadership manifested in leaders using techniques to get people to like them, or to use power or just an image. Some other parts of this approach even made Leaders become manipulative and deceptive to get people to follow them.
Let me tell you this:
Although as a Leader, even if you get other people to follow you, or do what you want them to do, using human influence strategies, whilst your character fundamentally is flawed, in the long run, you will not be successful as a Leader. Your deception will breed distrust in everything that you do, and your so-called human relation techniques will be perceived as manipulative. If there is little or no trust in you as a Leader, there is no foundation for permanent success. According to Steven Covey, “The seven habits of highly effective people”.
Consider this:
Your Leadership character will be revealed in times of crisis. Leaders who tend to hide behind the veil of deception, can only fake for so long, however crisis will reveal their real characteristics.
Leaders with an authentic leadership style will create the potential for an extraordinary company. Remember this, it all begins with the leader’s genuine concerns for everyone in their organisation.
In a nutshell, what you are, (character) speaks more loudly, than what you say.
