Value-Driven Leadership
What qualities or values should every leader possess?
This is a question I posed recently to a group of young professionals in a mastermind group.
As they are starting their study of leadership, one of the exercises we spent time with, is the Leadership Values Cards, from our friend, John Maxwell.
I believe each of these young leaders must know their Top 5 Values and then their Top 5 Strengths from Strengthsfinder 2.0.
After they each determined their Top 5 Values, we then reviewed the list below and had a discussion around values and ethics.
Predetermined values and ethics, not expediency, must drive our leadership.
The Leader…
- Possesses integrity
- Does what is right
- Is honest and trustworthy
- Does not gossip
- Will not listen to gossip
- Does no harm to others
- Speaks out against wrong
- Honors others who was in trust
- Keep their word even when it costs them
- Isn’t greedy to gain at the expense of others
- Takes no bribes against anyone
- Is strong and stable
This is a list of many of the necessary traits.
Give the Values Card exercise a try with your team. It’s fun and valuable.
“A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower