Aligning Values: Seminar

Values are fundamental ideas that a person believes in, with these values embodied in one’s behaviors. Attributes (and characteristics) describe how others see, perceive each and describe a person. Under this model, values are actions (nouns, such as accountability, ambition, competency, honesty and loyalty) while attributes are descriptions (adjectives, such as accountable, ambitious, competent, honest and loyal). Our actions are a demonstration of our internal values.

The concept of aligning values has two dimensions: the alignment of personal and organizational values, and the alignment of actions with values. Both dimensions are important.

Human behavior research documents that an individual’s commitment to an organization and its cause is strongest when both the individual and the organization clearly articulate their values. This alignment can only be ensured when both the individual and the organization clearly articulate their values, with the phrase “voice your values” used to encourage individuals to publicly state what they believe in. Noting that our actions demonstrate our values, the articulation of personal values should be apparent in our daily interactions with each other. An alignment of clarity on values and the alignment of personal and organizational values leads to highly effective teams and highly satisfied employees.

In the views of employees, leaders who are willingly followed when those leaders are honest, competent, inspiring and forward-looking. These four attributes establish credibility as the foundation of leadership. Credible leaders are those who walk the talk, practice what they preach and put their money with their mouth is. In the book The Leadership Challenge by Kouzes and Posner, leaders who are credible “do what you say you will do.” Kouzes and Posner’s leadership practice “Model the Way” amplifies the necessity that leaders align their values with their actions, always. This alignment showcases a leader’s credibility and increases the team’s willingness work with a leader.