Stand For Something: How Core Values Drive Leadership Success
Hamilton is one of my favorite musicals, and one of the most potent lines from it is: “Burr, the Revolution’s imminent. What do you stall for? If you stand for nothing, Burr, what’ll you fall for?” This quote has variations, but the core question remains powerful for all leaders: What are your values? What core principles guide your work, personal life, and relationships?
Have you taken the time to reflect on your leadership values? Furthermore, can those you lead or work alongside articulate those values? While values are essential to most of us, many struggle to define them, and even more fail to communicate them clearly to others. We often consider our values as personal traits that define us without recognizing how deeply they influence our work and decision-making. The truth is that our values impact everything. Whether we’re writing an email, deciding, or developing a plan, our core values guide us consciously or not.
For example, one of my core values is relationships, a value shared by Leadership West. Early in my tenure with the organization, we were approached by a potential sponsor. However, as discussions progressed and we conducted some research, it became clear that our values didn’t align with how this organization conducted business. After careful consideration, the board president and I decided it wasn’t a good fit, and we graciously declined their offer. We view sponsorships as partnerships, and accepting this would have inevitably led to a clash in values. We could walk away with mutual respect by conversing about values early.
Every day, our values influence decision-making—often without conscious discussion. At Leadership West, we offer a training session called "5 Practices," the first module is Model the Way. This module focuses on clarifying and articulating the values that guide your decisions and actions as a leader. Some key takeaways include:
-Clarify and articulate the values that guide your decisions and actions as a leader.
-Describe how you can align your values with your everyday leadership behaviors.
-Leading your team to build consensus on shared values.
I encourage you to write down your core values and then share them with your team. When everyone understands each other’s values, it can empower your team to make decisions more confidently and independently, ultimately freeing up your time as a leader.
October 2024