How do you currently make your organizational decisions? Nonprofits have traditionally utilized their mission and vision to drive decision-making. Another approach to decision-making involves Values-based leadership (VBL) - a framework that is essential for shaping positive organizational cultures in a world of constant change and complex challenges.
Rooted in core principles, VBL influences decision-making and leverages mission and vision.
In order to understand values-based leadership, it is important to have a foundational understanding of values. Milton Rokeach's influential definition presents values as core beliefs directing one's preference for specific modes of conduct or end states. These beliefs are intrinsic to decision-making processes and guide actions within an organizational context. Espoused values, the publicly announced values that an organization claims to hold, are not necessarily in congruence with the enacted values - the values that an organization genuinely practices.
Values-based leadership is deeply rooted in the individual leader's core values and beliefs. It is a style that reflects a leader's inner convictions and is directed toward the well-being of others and the organization. Values-based leaders are values-conscious, meaning they seek to understand how their decisions align with their core values and the organization's mission. This means that they actively solicit feedback from stakeholders and foster open communication about values. They also stimulate employees to reflect on value enactment.
The Value-conscious leader is consistently involved in reflective processes on their intentions, actions, consequences, and value interpretations. These leadership practices tend to create transformative change and foster environments where values align with organizational goals. VBL profoundly shapes employee morale, and overall sense of shared purpose, and ultimate shapes and guides organizational culture. These outcomes are a result of cultivating trust, integrity, and shared vision which improves performance and employee satisfaction.
Leaders who authentically align their actions with shared values will play a pivotal role in building sustainable, ethical, and successful organizations.
