Articulate your Personal Values as A Leader

This is the first of a ten-part series on being a good leader. Over the years, we have read and learnt a lot about being a good leader. More importantly, we have actually experienced suffering under bad leaders and blossoming under good leaders. All this will either make you seek vengeance or to vow to becoming a better leader.

Most people think that because they have been appointed as a leader, they automatically are leaders. A manager promoted into that position as a result of good work, good connections or good whatever, will now have to lead his new team of people. From being “one of the gang” to now being the boss. How often has this scenario played out in office after office.

“Me, Boss. You, staff.”

Contrary to common beliefs, not all managers are hated on the first day of work. The hate usually comes on the second day. OK, that was a joke. Anyway, a leader is usually given a chance to prove himself/herself. How that is done, is up to the new “leader”.

At this point in time, let us clarify – you do not become a leader by appointment. You need to win the respect of the team and you need to establish your role within that team. Yes, leaders have a role.

Some people believe that a leader simply sits and gives orders. Giving orders, fortunately, is only a part of the leader’s role. A leader must display a lot of characteristics in order to be an effective leader.

One of the first things a leader should do, is to somehow articulate your personal values as a leader. This might seem trivial, or even irrelevant to some. However, this is important for a very simple, basic reason – we work with PEOPLE. Human beings are not cold, rational automatons. We are people with emotions, likes and dislikes, prejudices, and lots of other stuff.

When we look at our new leader “wannabe”, we see another human. We wonder, “What is he like?”; “What does he like?”

Clarify your personal values. This can be done as simply as calling everyone together, give a short, inaugural speech. Speech. This is not an ego trip. This is an important point of initial contact with your team members. Do not give your “Minions! Listen to me!” speech. Instead, give a short introduction of yourself, who you are, where you came from, and so on. It does not have to be long. Just enough to show that you are human enough to communicate with them. It is not an opportunity to regal them with your resume. It is a time to say “Thank you, team. Hope we can work together well.”

Let them know what you value most. Honesty? Diligence? Creativity? Show something of yourself to them. Not policies, but rather, share a part of you with them. Let them know where you are coming from.

In the next installment, we will explore how we can take the next step as a leader. Putting action to your words.