Of value-based leadership
PAUL NYAUSARU
Leadership is all about influencing your team to achieve a desired outcome.
How a leader carries themselves has a direct impact on the performance of subordinates.
One type of leadership that is not so often talked about which has the drive to influence and drive performance is value-based leadership.
In the edition, I will explore what it is and the attributes of this type of leadership.
What then is value-based leadership? This is a leadership style that builds itself on the values of both leader and the team.
It is based on the philosophy that people motivate themselves through the implementation of their personal values in their daily lives.
Organisations that place value on a set of their values are more likely to be productive and work as a team.
The following is the outcome of using value-based leadership on an organisation:
λ Defining Organisational
Direction
Values-based leadership sets the direction of the company by creating a values statement that serves as a guide for employees at all levels. This type of leadership provides both meaning and purpose to employees, managers, stakeholders and the company as a whole.
It allows them to reflect on the values of the company in every decision they make.
λ Create a proactive organisational culture
A proactive culture is only possible in an environment where demonstration of ethical values are evident to all including the stakeholders see and feel it in their interaction with the organisation. The organisation is able to leverage on that to achieve its goals. The values-based leader is the champion in this endeavor.
λ Helps improve individuals for the better.
Values-based leadership works at improving individual team members through investing in their education and development and all stakeholders involved.
It also empowers employees by developing leaders along the value chain in the system and encouraging other leaders to move in the same direction. It commits itself to creating better job satisfaction and improve the effectiveness of all.
Attributes of a values-based leader
Values-based leaders have several attributes highlighted below:
λ Self-reflection
Values-based leaders devote a significant amount of time each day to reflect on decisions and motivations they take.
This gives them a chance to have a relook at their values, come up with their purpose and discover what really matters to them as leaders. They always have a desire to assess themselves in these areas and the honesty to diagnose the truth.
λ Exhibiting confidence in themselves
Most leaders usually have a degree of self-confidence in themselves, but values-based leaders understand that some leaders are better than them.
They also understand that, as leaders, they are have to continuously learning evolve.
They understand both their strengths and weaknesses and will always surround themselves with those who complement their skills. This is a strength that most leaders fail to understand and which usually would their downfall.
λ Exhibiting Humility
Good leaders understand who they are and where they came from.
They do not forget that their present is shaped by their past regardless of what it might have been.
Humility for leaders is the belief that they are no different than the people whom they work with.
These leaders believe that every employee holds just as much value to the company as they do.
Humble leaders do what it takes to lift up their teams and ensure they are well taken care of for their work.
Paul Nyausaru is an HR Practitioner and leadership coach. For all your HR interventions and leadership development training you can get in touch with him on WhatsApp/call +263774062756 or Email pnyausaru@gmail.com
