SETTING AN EXAMPLE

As the nineteenth-century American industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie once said, “The older I get, the less I listen to what people say and the more I watch what they do.” For a values-based leader, this means setting a personal example in order to influence the people around you, whether it's a small team or the entire organization. I firmly believe that 99 percent of people want to do the right thing. However, if they do not have a positive role model, they may fall short. When one person strays, others become tempted to follow, building negative peer pressure.

As a values-based leader, you must continually ask yourself, What example am I setting? Am I demonstrating a balanced life to my team? Are my actions in line with my beliefs and values? If what you say is different from what you do, people will take notice. Your words won't matter because your actions, as they say, speak far more loudly. Your behavior must be consistent with your values at all times and in all situations. And the higher up you go in an organization, the more you are visible and can set an example for others. There can be no difference between how you act personally and what you do on the job. It is all part of your life.

If you share my view that we're on this earth for an incredibly short period of time, then why not make the most of each day by being a positive example, not only at work but in your family life, among your friends, and in the community? For me personally, my values mean being a good leader at work, a good father, a good husband, a good son, a good sibling, and a good community citizen. In every situation, I remain committed to doing the right thing, and I will use the tools of the four principles of values-based leadership to keep myself on track.

As a values-based leader, you set the tone, whether within a small team or for the entire organization. Knowing who you are and what you stand for enables you to set a good example for others, so that you can create a team rooted in values. This strong foundation is critical because you will face tough decisions at times. Having a firm set of values will make your decision making clearer. This doesn't mean that your life will be easy, but you will have a compass to guide you toward the solutions that are optimal for you, your company, and all the stakeholders involved. In short, adhering to your values will keep you on track to do the right thing.