For companies, focus on recruiting the RIGHT people based on their values rather than competencies/skills. If the vision is to have an empowering and committed workforce, you must employ managers who are themselves trusting and empowering first.
The world is full of temptation
The world is full of temptation and we are constantly bombarded with messages on quick money, quick successes, and marketing campaigns to pursue the “feel good, look good” factor. Why we do what we do has a strong co-relation to our personal values. These values are shaped by our upbringing, society and more so now, by all sorts of media. If we are not guided by ethics in our actions, we are planting the seeds for our future. I personally believe in “cause and effect”.
Select based on values not just competencies
Most companies have wall charts that emphasize “company values”. To what extent do the management and managers demonstrate all the stated company values? Companies spent tons of money to train people to be better team players, act with integrity, be better people managers, etc. The fundamental question is “am I aligned” to the value myself? More often, I see top management promoting “team building” workshop but the top person uses fear and control in most work situations and has little trust on his people. To what extent does he trust people as a personal value? His personal values will show in his leadership style. These personal values run deep in us and we are sometimes, unconscious about them, but they are so powerful in guiding us in our actions.
For companies, focus on recruiting the RIGHT people based on their values rather than competencies/skills. If the vision is to have an empowering and committed workforce, you must employ managers who are themselves trusting and empowering first. Mother Theresa did not go for any leadership training, but she is a great leader because she had care, compassion and trust as her core values. With that, she can conquer the odds.
Ethical Guidelines for Managers
(Something so basic but getting more difficult to follow!):
Obey the law
Tell the truth
Show respect for people
Stick to the golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have others undo you”.
Above all, do no harm Practice participation, not paternalism
