Having More Clarity About Values Helps One Become A Better L

Having More Clarity About Values Helps One Become A Better Leader Be

Having more clarity about values helps one become a better leader because those values will provide a basis for how the leader will carry their team (Kouzes & Posner, 2017). When a leader is certain about which values are important to them, they can perform and make decisions more consistently. By having a leader who is consistent and continuously acts on the values they hold, satisfaction among constituents will increase and a more cohesive team dynamic will occur. Additionally, when a leader clarifies their values and shares the values with their team, it shows team members what their leader will expect of them and what they can expect from their leader (Kouzes & Posner, 2017). Once a leader has identified which values are most important to them, they must then “find their voice” to effectively share these values with their team members.

In terms of leadership, “find your voice” means developing a leadership style which is unique to the individual and fully encompasses their own values (Kouzes & Posner, 2017). To be effective, a leader must be passionate about the values they incorporate into their leadership style, rather than choosing to mimic another leader’s successful style (Kouzes & Posner, 2017). If a leader simply chooses to base their leadership style off one they have seen previously, it is likely they will not be as successful because it will be clear to their constituents that the leader does not truly believe in what they are saying or doing (Kouzes & Posner, 2017). However, once the leader has found their voice and is able to lead in a way that is true to them and their beliefs, their team will enthusiastically follow along and be encouraged to clarify and share their own values.

An example of a leader finding their voice is one who values teamwork and creates teambuilding events for members to participate in. This leader has found their voice because they have identified a value they want to prioritize and demonstrated the importance of the value to their team by implementing a way for the value to be upheld. While it is important for a leader to clarify and uphold their values when leading a team, it is also important for them to understand that not everyone is going to prioritize the same values. For this reason, it is important for leaders to openly communicate with their constituents to gain an understanding of what values they hold and to identify any shared values (Kouzes & Posner, 2017).

Even though there may be differences in the values that each party holds, it is still possible for the leader to remain deeply committed to their own values. Being committed to a value means the leader can still behave and make decisions based on the values which they are passionate about while also encouraging and supporting the values of their constituents. On the other hand, a leader imposes their will on others when they expect all team members to uphold the same values as them without attempting to understand everyone’s passions and priorities. This is different than a leader who is simply committed to their values, and an effective leader must know the difference because when team members feel forced to adhere to values they are not passionate about, satisfaction, enthusiasm, and willingness to work hard will decline (Kouzes & Posner, 2017).

There are several values a good leader should prioritize and uphold, but one of the most important values is collaboration. When a leader values collaboration it tells the team members that everyone’s ideas are important no matter where they stand in the hierarchy. This will lead to everyone feeling confident in their ability to share their thoughts and opinions when working to solve a problem or improve the organization. Additionally, by valuing collaboration, the leader and team-members will consistently be open minded when ideas are being shared. This is important because willingness to hear everyone’s ideas will help to create a solution which is beneficial to the entire team and most appropriate to address the problem being discussed.

Paper For Above instruction

Clarity about core values is a fundamental aspect of effective leadership. When leaders clearly understand and articulate their values, they establish a moral compass that guides decision-making, behavior, and interactions with their team. Kouzes and Posner (2017) emphasize that such clarity fosters consistency and integrity, which are crucial for building trust and credibility within a team. Leaders who are anchored in their values can demonstrate authenticity, thereby inspiring confidence and loyalty among followers. This consistency not only enhances team cohesion but also creates an environment where ethical standards are upheld, and organizational objectives align with shared principles.

The importance of finding one's voice in leadership—developing a unique style that truly reflects personal values—is pivotal. Kouzes and Posner (2017) argue that authentic leadership emerges from self-awareness and the courage to express one’s core beliefs. Leaders who mimic others or adopt superficial strategies risk appearing insincere, which can undermine their credibility. Conversely, leaders who develop and confidently express their authentic voice foster trust and motivate their teams to also share and clarify their own values. Such openness nurtures a culture of honesty and mutual respect, which is essential for organizational growth and innovation.

Sharing and aligning values within a team is a delicate process. While it is beneficial for a leader to communicate their values openly, it is equally important to recognize that each team member may have distinct values and priorities. Effective leaders proactively engage in dialogues to understand their team members' core beliefs, fostering an environment of shared understanding. Kouzes and Posner (2017) emphasize that a leader's ability to balance personal authenticity with openness to others’ perspectives enhances collaboration and prevents values from becoming a source of division. Leaders who can encourage diverse viewpoints while maintaining their own commitments exemplify a mature, inclusive leadership style that strengthens team cohesion.

Indeed, committed leadership involves steadfast adherence to personal values, but not at the expense of others' beliefs. Leaders must distinguish between imposing their values and being dedicated to their principles while respecting others’ passions. Imposing values can diminish motivation, satisfaction, and enthusiasm among team members, ultimately impairing performance. Leaders who support shared values and encourage individual passions foster a positive environment in which all members feel valued and motivated to contribute meaningfully (Kouzes & Posner, 2017). This balance ensures that leadership remains both principled and adaptable to group dynamics.

Among the critical values a leader should uphold, collaboration stands out as particularly vital. Collaboration signifies the recognition that each team member’s input is valuable, regardless of their hierarchical position. It fosters an environment of mutual respect, open communication, and shared responsibility (Johnson & Johnson, 2019). When leaders prioritize collaboration, they promote diverse ideas and creative problem-solving, which are essential for organizational adaptability and innovation. Furthermore, a collaborative leadership style democratizes decision-making, empowering team members to actively participate and feel invested in outcomes. By encouraging open-mindedness and active listening, leaders enhance team cohesion and effectiveness (Edmondson, 2019).

In conclusion, the pathway to effective leadership is significantly influenced by clarity of core values and the ability to authentically share and uphold those values. Leaders who find and communicate their voice develop trust and inspire their teams. Respecting diverse values within the team while remaining committed to core principles fosters an environment of shared purpose and motivation. Importantly, emphasizing collaboration reinforces these principles, leading to more innovative, cohesive, and resilient organizations. As Kouzes and Posner (2017) advocate, authentic, values-based leadership grounded in genuine self-awareness and inclusive practices is essential for successfully navigating today’s complex organizational landscapes.

References

• Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2017). The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations. Jossey-Bass.
• Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T. (2019). Joining Together: Group Theory and Group Skills. Pearson.
• Edmondson, A. C. (2019). The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth. Wiley.
• Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Sage Publications.
• Gill, R. (2018). Theory and Practice of Leadership. Sage Publications.
• Bass, B. M., & Bass, R. (2008). The Bass Handbook of Leadership: Theory, Research, and Managerial Applications. Simon and Schuster.
• Yukl, G. (2013). Leadership in Organizations. Pearson.
• Badaracco, J. L. (2018). Managing in the Gray Zone: Ethical Decision Making in Less Clear Situations. Harvard Business Review Press.
• George, B. (2017). Discover Your True North: Discover Your True North. Wiley.
• Schein, E. H. (2010). Organizational Culture and Leadership. Jossey-Bass.