Perhaps more than ever in our lives, we now live in a world of constant movement, change, turmoil, and uncertainty. Never before have the pressures to perform exceptionally as leaders been more required and at the same time, been more daunting. By recognizing that finding balance in our life and business is essential to leadership success, we also realize we must reflect internally and examine what is working well in our life, as well as what we could improve. To do that, we need to learn and grow continuously on multiple levels, while transforming our skill set to thrive professionally and personally with each new challenge and each new ambition.
But more than anything, as leaders, we need to operate under a particular defined and noble set of values that reflect the best our beliefs and who we are in our core.
Every experienced and respected leader I know takes their values seriously regardless of the company they work for, the title they may have, or the situation that they may be in at any given time. Those values don’t change from job to job. They are not situation-specific. They are much deeper than that. It’s also true that the depth of our values can change over time as we mature as adults.
Why are values so critical to leadership success? One thing that has been proven time after time is the importance of consistency in demonstrating and living high standards and leadership values.
For the highest fulfillment in our career, our personal values and our organization’s values need to align. How are yours doing right now? Are there certain areas in alignment, but others which are clearly not? How do you feel about the disconnect you have between your values and those in the company you can’t endorse, or which simply don’t inspire you?
Certainly, we all wish we could be in perfect alignment at all times, with our own values and those of our employer aligned and growing together.
Is this really possible or just a pipe dream? Yes, indeed it is. The perfect example would be the following nine values of Slalom Consulting.gn: As transformational leaders, the ability to demonstrate the following core values in everything we do is mission-critical, allowing us to not only make a significant impact but also to assist others to do the same:
1. Build & Shape A Better Future – by embracing the New!
We can’t do this by holding onto old models or limited beliefs. We can’t do this effectively without including others in any transformation process but we can do this as we encourage creative, innovative ideas from a multi-generational workforce to solve our organization’s and our world’s biggest challenges.
2. Celebrate Authenticity – by unlocking everyone’s Creativity!
Today, we work alongside highly diverse talent that challenges us, empowers us, and enriches us with new ways of thinking and relating to the world and to our customers. The hidden beauty in celebrating the authenticity of each other lies in tapping into the collective wisdom that emerges from the team. As a result, exciting possibilities and potentials become easier to manifest as we are stretched further and deeper than we ever imagined possible. It is a collective creation of personal, team, and organizational energies and resources to achieve the best and highest outcomes possible.
3. Do What Is Right Always – as an individual, team, and organizational Contributor!
Many leaders focus exclusively on external drivers, competition, ambitious goals, and client acquisition, for obvious reasons, but this can lead to a significant gap in the team’s self-awareness and cohesion, and even foster a lack of contribution where it matters the most – from our people. The key is to be proactive, collaborative, supportive, and transparent – with the whole team, not just with a few.
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
~Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
4. Drive Connection & Teamwork – by leading by Example!
Nothing can impact individual and team performance, morale, and commitment as much as the organizational practice of making sure everyone is included and connected, regardless of the type of work performed. Instead of guarding information in the name of “need to know only”, organizations should embrace and encourage the practice of constantly asking the question, “Who needs to know about this?” That way important individuals critical to the success of a project or client need, will automatically be included to enrich the solution. To ensure effective teamwork, it is essential to get everyone on the same page, set clear expectations and goals, and track individual and team progress. By being open about everything that comes up will expedite quickly desired results. An additional key is to hold ourselves accountable as leaders too, not just our team members.
5. Focus on Outcomes – by achieving Impact!
Often “doing things and staying busy” is mistaken for making a difference — having real, tangible impact. It is essential to be service driven, both, internally and outside of the organization. By our forward and future orientation thinking demonstrated with enthusiasm and motivation, while challenging past experiences and status quo, will create a transformation that every team and organization need TODAY!
6. Inspire Passion & Adventure – by expressing a passionate Commitment!
The team is served best through a bold, precise, and consistent vision!
Nothing speaks more to a multi-generational, and often multi-ethnic workforce than an integrated team and leadership approach. Why? Passionate commitment and a bold vision create exceptional connections between passion, leadership, team and the ultimate goal – a powerful customer experience. Especially today, we need inspirational leaders who themselves act as beacons of hope, possibility, and exceptional service.
7. Stay Humble & Curious – by asking meaningful Questions!
When we are feeling stuck due to unmet expectations, assumptions or ambiguity, it is hard to see a complete, holistic picture. The best way to continue to grow, learn, and gain valuable perspectives from others is to stay humble and learn from and with others. Assuming that we know everything because of out title or position — or because “this is not our first rodeo” — will only get us in trouble by shutting the door to innovation and creativity we won’t have on our own. Why? We all have blind spots in our perceptions. This is normal and natural and is the fundamental reason why teams are so necessary, let alone effective. If we live in our blind spots without anyone to fill the blindness, our effectiveness is seriously comprised and our team relationships undermined. Genuine curiosity – and the honoring of each team member’s unique perspectives — will get us places beyond our wildest imagination, without no one left behind.
8. Smile & Be Positive – Nothing can be as a rewarding and as inspiring as Doing What We Love!
When we do what we love, we are able to work at optimal levels of internal coherence, mentally, physically, and emotionally. This coherence shows in everything we do, say, and how we behave. Showing up with a smile and genuinely positive attitude can make a significant difference in the team dynamic as well as in eliciting quick and creative solutions to some of the most challenging problems. Nothing is as compelling or memorable as the way someone makes us feel, especially during times of change and uncertainty.
“Optimism is an essential ingredient of innovation.”
~Robert Noyce
9. Take Ownership & Get It Done – while focusing on Benefits and Values!
At the end of the day, we all know that business is driven by a wide range of financial metrics, especially ROI. As a result, things need to be accomplished in a timely fashion and with minimal effort. Often, we need to lead and show the way by demonstrating how, when, and why something gets done. By creating learning opportunities for individuals and teams, especially for new members, will help ensure everyone’s high participation, performance, and productivity through a low-stress working environment.
If you enjoyed reading this article, please share your comments and thoughts with others in the comment section below. In addition, if you would like to learn more about Slalom Consulting and explore the best ways for us to assist you with your organizational goals, feel free to contact me directly.
Leave a legacy, a legacy that matters!
When managing programs that change culture, without grounding I’ll be taken through all the waves and perhaps drown in the various priorities, values, and ideologies. I need that grounding. I need that grounding to communicate, to be credible, to lead. To be grounded I set clear accountability, clear ownership. I also “CAP” my position, what I stand for. CAP is:
Conjecture
Analysis
Planning
This is my grounding, the theme to who I am, the theme to the presence I project to my team, my stakeholders, and my audience.