SLC 300 (601) Fall 2024 Leading with an Ethical Perspective

The article “What Are Your Values” from MindTools shows how personal values are key to being a good leader and making strong decisions. It explains that knowing and following your values can guide you during tough times and help you build better relationships. This idea connects well with how successful leaders in different areas work.

Oprah Winfrey is an example of a leader who values being real and honest. She focuses on connecting with people in a genuine way, whether through her interviews or her charity work. By staying true to her beliefs, she builds trust and inspires others. This reflects the article’s idea that living by your values helps guide your actions and decisions.Elon Musk also shows how values shape leadership. He strongly believes in pushing boundaries and improving the future, which drives his work at Tesla and SpaceX. His focus on innovation and sustainability shows how values can lead to bold achievements. Musk’s determination aligns with the article’s message that values can help leaders handle challenges and reach big goals.In healthcare, Dr. Atul Gawande uses compassion and responsibility to guide his work. As a doctor and writer, he works to improve patient care and make the healthcare system better. His dedication to helping others shows how values can be a strong foundation for solving problems and making a positive impact.

These examples show that leaders in many areas succeed by sticking to their values. The article makes it clear that knowing your values and living by them is important for guiding decisions, building trust, and inspiring others.

MindTools. https://www.mindtools.com/a5eygum/what-are-your-values

The website about “what are your values” highlights how developing and upholding one’s own essential beliefs may act as a compass for leadership and decision-making. NBA coaches who incorporate their principles into their coaching philosophies find great resonance in this idea.

Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors, for instance, places a strong emphasis on virtues like respect, empowerment, and cooperation. His judgments, both on and off the court, are guided by these values, which promote a welcoming and cooperative team environment. Kerr frequently discusses the significance of listening and humility, two traits that support the websites’ contention that successful leadership results from a thorough comprehension of one’s own fundamental convictions.

Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs also incorporates principles like honesty, responsibility, and compassion into his coaching. Popovich is renowned for upholding the highest moral standards for both players and staff while also being genuinely concerned about their personal development. His leadership style exemplifies how a team’s cohesiveness and trust may be fostered by having well-defined ideals.

These illustrations show how NBA coaches use values as a framework for guidance, which is consistent with the article’s viewpoint that values are essential for overcoming difficult obstacles and establishing deep connections.

https://www.mindtools.com/a5eygum/what-are-your-values

“What Are Your Values?” illustrates how personal values guide individuals in making choices that genuinely represent their true selves and aspirations. Values serve as a framework for decision-making, enabling people to select the most suitable course of action when confronted with various options. Ethical leaders gain an advantage by comprehending their values and employing thoughtful reasoning to address issues effectively.

The author asserts that personal values form the foundation of an individual’s identity and influence their decisions. He suggests that individuals can navigate complex situations with greater clarity and confidence by identifying and clarifying these values. In contrast, ethical leadership is defined by the ability to inspire and guide others while adhering to moral principles. According to our class book, ethical reasoning is essential for leaders as it shapes their actions and influences their followers.

Self-awareness and personal reflection are important tools for ethical leaders striving to clarify their core values. These tools are essential for identifying the principles that guide their decision-making processes. Ethical leadership goes beyond simply holding a position of authority; it demands that leaders possess a deep understanding of their values and ensure they are consistently communicated and manifest in their behavior. By maneuvering within a moral compass, ethical leaders inspire trust and integrity, fostering an environment where principles are upheld and decisions are made with a strong purpose.

References

Hancock, J. (n.d.). What Are Your Values? Mind Tools. Retrieved from https://www.mindtools.com/a5eygum/what-are-your-values

Kelley, K., & Hutchins, D. (2011). The Art of Reasoning (5th ed.). W. W. Norton & Company.

By Maggie Pohl

Defining and prioritizing your personal values is a critical exercise in understanding what guides the way we live. I found this article’s framework for identifying values very approachable, particularly because it emphasizes both personal and professional values. This dual focus helps paint a more holistic picture of what drives us.

One aspect I appreciated was the visualization exercise. Instead of just picking values from a list, it encourages reflection on times when we felt happiest, most proud, and most fulfilled. This approach was refreshing because it focuses on positive emotions and life experiences, which can be more motivating than dwelling on negative moments. I’ve done similar exercises in past classes, but they were often simpler—choosing values from a predefined list. While that method is quicker, it doesn’t require the same depth of self-reflection.

That said, I do wonder how changing values over time might impact this process. Since the article acknowledges that our values evolve, I find the need to be mindful of how far back I look when recalling moments of pride or happiness. Fortunately, recent memories tend to stand out more for me, which might simplify the process.

Overall, I see the benefit of revisiting values regularly to stay aligned and balanced. This framework is a great starting point for reflecting on what truly matters, both at work and in life, and ensuring that our decisions align with those priorities.

Source: Hancock, J. (n.d.). What Are Your Values?. MindTools. https://www.mindtools.com/a5eygum/what-are-your-values

Values are a cornerstone of success in both life and the business world, shaping priorities, decisions, and interactions. In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, where issues like ethical leadership, sustainability, and inclusivity dominate conversations, having clear values is more crucial than ever. Businesses and individuals alike are facing unprecedented challenges, such as navigating artificial intelligence’s ethical implications, addressing climate change, and fostering equity in diverse teams. These challenges demand value-driven approaches that prioritize integrity, responsibility, and long-term impact over short-term gains. In the corporate world, values serve as a guiding compass during uncertainty. Organizations with well-defined values are better equipped to make decisions that resonate with their mission and stakeholders. For instance, businesses prioritizing sustainability are actively innovating to reduce their carbon footprints, often gaining consumer trust and loyalty in the process. Similarly, leaders who value inclusivity are creating workplaces where diverse perspectives are not only welcomed but celebrated, fostering creativity and resilience in the face of global competition. In contrast, organizations that stray from their core values risk losing credibility, as seen in recent controversies surrounding greenwashing or unethical practices. At an individual level, aligning personal values with professional roles leads to greater fulfillment and productivity. For example, a professional who values social impact might thrive in a role with a nonprofit or a socially conscious company, while someone driven by innovation may excel in a tech startup environment. Misalignment, on the other hand, can lead to dissatisfaction and burnout. This is particularly relevant in a post-pandemic world where employees increasingly seek purpose-driven work and prioritize work-life balance.

While reading the two course materials on values, I really seemed to grasp why they are important that I identify them for myself. I think that as I think about graduation, I especially need to figure out my values because I do not want any conflict between my values and my work life. I appreciated the example of how you may want a family, but you are working 70 hours a week. This is not going to go hand in hand and I probably will not be enjoying my life if I am at odds with that value of having quality family time. Next, part of the exercise proposed by MindTools is considering when you were the happiest. I believe I am the happiest when I am around people, and competing to win for a common goal. Also, helping people and being in community is really important to me. Using the 500 core values list with what I have identified, I have selected: competition, community, dependability, philanthropy, and accountability. I believe these things give me greater purpose than constantly trying to chase a job success, but actually use that position and my life to help others in a humanitarian way. To reaffirm these, I want to make decisions that back up these values, so that I am rarely at odds with them. I think that if I maintain my values, even in hard times, I will feel like life has purpose and I am fulfilling my duties.

After reading the list of 500 core values examples, I decided to challenge myself to come up with five more core values not on the list. It took me a while to brainstorm other core values that were not on the very long list. I reflected on my values and tried to think out of the box. Values do not have to be specific. The list of core values created by Threads Culture did seem to be more generally brand-focused and broad. I could see most of the values being implemented in a human resource management handbook. A very special aspect of selecting core values is that they can be very personal. Selecting core values for yourself or your company shouldn’t be a quick decision. It should be something that you take the time to learn and understand before pursuing. Core values should also be routinely checked to make sure that you are implementing them correctly and that they are still the values you find most important. 

The core values I would add to the list of 500 are:
 
Inclusivity
Curiosity
Grace
Vulnerability
Magnetism 

All of these values can be used in personal value ethics or business ethics. Specifically, inclusivity ranks high on my personal values list, and I was surprised it was not on the list. Curiosity is the desire to learn more. This could be used to encourage the desire to learn more scholarly knowledge or to promote personal curiosity. It may encourage employees to learn more about the people around them. The next point of grace was also missing from the list. Grace can be interpreted differently, but I think it fits in with other words like understanding and caring. Vulnerability is something that I have written about multiple times this semester. Being vulnerable is very misunderstood and many CEOs and leaders should lead with more vulnerability. This allows people to connect with them on a deeper level and helps to humanize them and the decisions they make. Finally, magnetism is another point I would add to the list. Magnetism goes hand in hand with charisma. Being a magnetic workplace or a magnetic person means that you draw people in and foster a positive environment where people want to be. Curiosity, inclusivity, grace, vulnerability, and magnetism are equally important traits that could also be included on the list.

https://www.threadsculture.com/core-values-examples

For my DEJ i’ll be responding to the article What are your values? Deciding what’s most important in life. Personal values form the basis of living a meaningful and authentic life. They help guide our choices, mold our behaviors, and describe the way we relate to the world. This article emphasizes finding and prioritizing our values. It says that when we act in accordance with our values, satisfaction and fulfillment are derived from such actions. Contrarily, when our actions and choices go against what is close to our heart, this situation may lead to discomfort, stress, or a sense of disequilibrium.

The process of defining values starts with reflecting on the moments of happiness, pride, and fulfillment. Through analyzing these experiences, we are able to identify what truly matters to us. Whether it is family, creativity, service, or independence, understanding these priorities gives a clearer sense of direction. The article wisely points out that values are not static; they change as we grow and encounter new life experiences. Regular reflection helps make sure our decisions keep in step with who we are becoming.

We also need to prioritize our values. In times of conflict or choice, knowing which one comes first can provide a clear sense of direction. For example, a decision between career advancement and family time is easier to make if we know which of these two best aligns with our core values.

Finally, it promotes integrity and confidence in ourselves by living our values. Sometimes this is not always easy, especially when our choices are unpopular or involve personal sacrifice. Yet staying true to our values means that we will lead a life that reflects who we really are, and will be happier in the long run, having more meaning in life.

For the last DEJ, I read “What Are Your Values?”. I learned how important it is to identify your values as that will make you successful. Understanding your core values is important as it can help you make decisions that align with who you are, instead of others persuading you towards something else. When you trust your values, you live to be a better version of yourself and it can bring you great opportunities in the future. While taking this class, I have gained a deeper understanding of my core values and how those have developed me into who I am. I have been able to express my values this semester as I have been involved in many group projects. Throughout this semester, I have had to use my best values to allow our project to be successful. A big one that everyone showed was respect. Respecting your group members is important as you need everyone to be interested and willing to learn the same thing, and put in the same effort as everyone else. Being trustworthy was the most important one to me as showing trust to team members is the make-it-or-break-it point in a group. It is important to have group members that you can trust to get their work done on time and have a consistent schedule as to when it is due, or working together. Having trust in one another allows everyone to be successful. Using these values has led me to greater confidence, and even brought me closer friendships as we shared the same values, or bounced off one another. Developing values is very important in today’s world and it is a must that everyone can bring an important value to a group, or into your work environment. 

https://www.mindtools.com/a5eygum/what-are-your-values

For my final DEJ Post #15 I have decided to do a text analysis on the Module #8 reading article “What Are Your Values? Deciding What’s Most Important in Life” authored by Johnathan Hancock.

Text to self: This article dives into how to find your values, this relates to me as I have always tried to decide what my core values are. It is hard to way what you hold most important do to the ever changing nature of life. A person who is 10 years old values much different things then the same person 20 years later. These never ending changes into what we hold dear is the natural selection process of what we value due to our environment.

Text to Text: this text heavily relates to the CLE Yellow Company 2’s final project about the Compass of Leadership Ethics. The CLE five step decision making process makes you do all of the steps in the article as you have to define what is the most important values needed to consider when making an ethical decision. The only difference between CLE and this article is the scope of which it applies too and therefore the variables at play. Since you will look at your life’s values as a whole from the article process, but in CLE this process is applied to decide the core values needed to be considered when solving a Ethical problem.

Text to World: Having our core values defined in our lives is a crucial thing to any persons purpose, motivation, and well being. Knowing what core values you respect and define yourself as is crucial to every decision you make no matter how big and or how small. What you value most is what a decision will be made on, and establishing what you hold dear to yourself is the first crucial step in comparing anything. Everyone values different things because everyone is unique, these differences in values and our uniqueness as human beings is what creates conflicts but is also what you use to judge to solve conflicts.