Inspirational leaders are driven by values
Their personal values guide them as they guide others
In my long, historic and slightly risky career, I have had many bosses … but very few have also been leaders. Fewer still have been inspiring leaders. In my opinion, the most distinctive characteristic of inspirational leaders has been their relentless insistence on sticking to their personal values.
Have you ever found yourself enduring a daily work atmosphere of politics, mercenary behavior, deception, backstabbing, and passive-aggressive hoaxes? I hope he hasn’t, and I hope he’s not in that kind of situation now … but if he has, you may have noticed that the team’s tone is often set at the top. When the boss lacks integrity, when his values seem to change with the weather, the team remains on the dark side of human nature.
If you think about it, the best times you’ve ever had at work probably involved a boss who was stubbornly committed to his personal values. For example, I know a leader who is famous for strongly insisting that she (and her team) always do the right thing. That means they often don’t have the option to do the easy, or even the politically expedient … but they always do the right thing. Values are king on this leader’s team. The team works hard, harder than the other teammates, and I won’t say they never complain. But each and every one of them has something that their peers don’t. Every member of this leader’s team gets a great night’s sleep, knowing they have done the right thing.
That is no small thing.
If, like many of my coaching clients, you are an emerging leader seeking to define your leadership “brand” as inspirational, give this some thought. Could your team articulate what your values are? Would they say that you are firm in your commitment to your values? If you’ve said you believe in staying healthy, do your people sometimes find out by exercising or taking your vitamins? If you have proclaimed that personal development is important, are your teammates aware of your personal efforts to educate themselves and stay informed about what is happening in the world? If you’ve said that “lifestyle balance” is important, do your people see you making plans and hoping to have fun outside of work?
Remember that people won’t always believe what you say. However, if you are an inspiring leader, they will often believe what you believe. Therefore, you must embody the values you speak of, and that requires a clear set of values that you are obviously and personally committed to.
A little self-reflection, honesty, and journaling can help you fine-tune your set of values, which can help you renew your commitment to your personal sense of integrity. There are many correct answers to the question “what do you represent?” … and inspiring leaders know their own personal response.