Mar 14 2009
Fundamental values that form good leadership
I believe fundamental values that form the foundation of leadership are:
1. Leaders and employees can and must learn new and better ways of working together.
2. Leaders must show respect for all employees.
3. Leaders must trust their employees to do the right thing, unless proven otherwise.
4. Leaders must trust their employees with information about the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic and tactical plans.
5. Leaders have to talk with employees, not at them.
6. Authority and responsibility can both be delegated and shared with employees, individually or in teams.
7. With the complexity of today’s jobs, it is likely that employees know more about their jobs than their leaders, and some of their ideas will be better.
8. Creativity is widely dispersed in the organization—it is not just the province of leaders.
9. Employees must be involved in problem solving, decision making, and planning.
10. Quality discussions with employees take time—time to prepare, and time to conduct. Effective leaders are willing to take the necessary time.
11. Leaders have an unlimited opportunity to provide positive feedback to employees.
12. Employees should be allowed to take appropriate risks, make mistakes, and learn from them.
13. It is almost always better to tell the truth.
