I have seen firsthand the dramatic impact leadership can have on a team’s success. I have seen leaders assemble a dream team with talented individuals with all the skills and experience you could ask for, but the magic isn’t happening somehow. Projects stall, deadlines are missed, and morale takes a dive. What’s the missing piece? Often, it boils down to leadership.

Studies have shown that many employees leave their jobs due to poor leadership, which highlights a crucial truth: strong leadership isn’t a luxury but a necessity. However, leadership goes beyond just giving orders and delegating tasks. It’s about creating a vision and a sense of purpose, inspiring your team to achieve their full potential.

Which is why leadership values become crucial. These core values are the bedrock of your leadership style; they will guide and shape your decisions and actions. They’re what differentiates a good leader from a truly great one, the difference between a team that goes through the motions and a team that consistently delivers remarkable results. Throughout this article, I will explain what leadership values are, guide you to identify yours, and how you can use them to build a high-performing, motivated team that thrives.

Key Takeaways

• Leadership values are your compass; they define your decision-making and shape how you inspire your team.
• People can spot inauthenticity a mile away. Let your core values and leadership values be a genuine reflection of who you are.
• Building a culture of strong leadership values is an ongoing process; you keep reassessing and improving your style.

What are Leadership Values?

We all have personal values, those guiding principles that shape our lives outside of work. Maybe it’s honesty, integrity, or a relentless drive for innovation. However, leadership values take those personal beliefs and translate them into a specific framework for leading others. Think of them as your personal leadership GPS; they determine the direction you take your team and how you handle challenges along the way.

Here’s the key difference between personal values and leadership values: personal values are about you, while leadership values are all about the team. They’re the foundation for building trust and establishing a collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and empowered. For example, if integrity is your personal core value, it translates into leadership actions like transparency in communication and fair decision-making. This builds trust with your team and creates a space where everyone feels comfortable taking risks and sharing ideas.

Why Should You Have Leadership Values?

The benefits and importance of strong leadership values are undeniable. Imagine a team where everyone understands the “why” behind what they’re doing; that’s the power of a clear purpose instilled by strong leadership values. When team members see their leader consistently demonstrate values like accountability and ownership, it inspires them to do the same. This translates into a team that takes responsibility for their results and is constantly striving for improvement.

And let’s not forget about attracting top talent. People today want to work for leaders they admire and respect. When your leadership values resonate with potential hires, it becomes a magnet for attracting and retaining the best and brightest. So, strong leadership values are a win-win; they create a thriving team environment and help you build a successful organization.

The importance of core leadership values are:

• Guidance for Decision-Making
• Shaping Organizational Culture
• Inspiring and Motivating Teams
• Building Trust and Respect.
• Attracting and Retaining Talent.
• Driving Performance
• Differentiating the Brand
• Facilitating Continuous Improvement

Developing Your Core Leadership Value System

Let’s get personal! Now that we understand the power of leadership values, it’s time to develop your own. Developing your core leadership value system means translating your unique strengths and beliefs into a leadership philosophy that inspires your team. 

So, how do you develop your core leadership value system? To develop these values, consider the following:

• Think back to impactful leaders you’ve admired. What qualities did they possess that resonated with you? This can be a great starting point for identifying values that are important to you.
• Consider moments in your career where you felt most fulfilled. What were the underlying factors that contributed to that feeling? These moments often reveal your core values in action.
• Ask yourself some thought-provoking questions:
  • What kind of impact do I want to have on my team?
  • How do I want my team to describe my leadership style?
  • What are the non-negotiables when it comes to how I lead?

Now, about authenticity. When it comes to leadership values, the key is to be genuine. People can sniff out inauthenticity a mile away. The best leadership style stems from a place of truth, where your core values and leadership values are closely aligned.

But what if there’s a clash? Let’s say one of your core values is independence, but your leadership role requires a high degree of collaboration. This is where navigating value conflicts comes in. The trick is to find a balance. In this example, you can create an environment where team members feel empowered to contribute their unique ideas while still prioritizing collaborative decision-making.

Core Leadership Values List

What core leadership values should a leader have? Here’s a list of 20 core values a leader can demonstrate: 

1. Communication
2. Influence
3. Humility
4. Reinforcement
5. Vision
6. Authenticity
7. Empowerment
8. Honesty
9. Passion
10. Respect
11. Empathy
12. Integrity
13. Commitment
14. Dedication
15. Transparency
16. Patience
17. Personal development
18. Service
19. Accountability
20. Adaptability and Resilience

The Power of Core Leadership Values in Action: Leadership Values Examples

Want to see how leadership values translate into action? Check out the following examples:

Example #1: Integrity as a Leadership Value

An example of integrity as a leadership value can be seen in a CEO who is very focused on integrity. Not as just a word on a poster, but it is evident in every decision he makes. When faced with a potential supplier offering lower prices through ethically questionable practices, such CEO would hold firm because he knew compromising his integrity would ultimately corrupt trust with employees and customers. This commitment will resonate throughout the company. Employees will feel empowered to make responsible choices, knowing they had the CEO’s unwavering support. The result? They would maintain their stellar reputation, and the team will rally behind his leadership, establishing a culture of honesty and transparency.

Example #2: Innovation as a Leadership Value

I recently worked with a brilliant marketing manager, David, who had a burning passion for innovation. He constantly challenged the status quo and encouraged his team to think outside the box. David understood that true innovation thrives in an environment where experimentation is encouraged and failure is seen as a stepping stone. He created a culture of brainstorming sessions and “wild idea” days, where anything went.

The result? His team developed a groundbreaking social media campaign that went viral, completely disrupting their industry and skyrocketing brand awareness. David’s commitment to innovation propelled his team to success and attracted top talent who craved the opportunity to push boundaries and make a real impact.

Example 3: Accountability as a Leadership Value

Here’s another inspiring example from the world of business. A CEO whose core value is accountability would hold himself and his team to the highest standards, and everyone would know exactly what was expected of them. This emphasis on ownership will create a results-oriented environment where every team member feels a sense of responsibility for achieving their goals.

The turnaround will be nothing short of remarkable, as accountability will drive them to better performance and establish a team that’s truly invested in success.

Remember, these are just a few examples of how leadership values translate into real-world results. The key takeaway? When leaders embody strong core values, it creates a ripple effect, creating a motivated, high-performing team that consistently delivers exceptional results. So, identify your own leadership values, live them authentically, and watch your team perform better!

Building a Culture of Strong Leadership Values

Identifying your core leadership values is the first step; the next step is translating those values into a thriving team culture. Here are some actionable steps to get you started:

#1. Lead by Example

Be the walking, talking embodiment of your values. Your team is constantly watching your every move. If you preach collaboration but operate in a silo, your message gets lost. Live your leadership values every day. This consistency builds trust and inspires your team to follow suit.

Read Also: How to Lead by Example: 4 Steps for Business Owners

#2. Make Your Values a Living Document

Don’t let your core values become a relic in the employee handbook. Regularly discuss them with your team, revisit their meaning, and explore how they can be applied to current projects and challenges. This keeps them at the top of their minds and fosters a sense of shared purpose.

Read: Importance of Employee Code of Conduct

#3. Make Leadership Values the Basis of Your Team

Integrate your leadership values into performance reviews and feedback conversations. Recognize and reward team members who consistently demonstrate the behaviors that embody those values. This positive reinforcement strengthens the connection between values and actions.

#4. Establish a Feedback Loop through Open Communication

Building a strong culture of leadership values is a two-way street. Encourage open communication and feedback from your team. Ask them how well they feel the leadership values are being upheld, and be open to their suggestions. This ongoing dialogue ensures everyone is on the same page and allows you to course-correct if needed.

Conclusion

Strong leadership values aren’t just a must; they’re game-changers. They’re what make a team of talented individuals into a powerful, motivated unit. By identifying your core values and using them as the basis for your leadership style, you create a ripple effect that inspires, empowers, and drives results.

Imagine a team where everyone feels valued, understands the “why” behind their work, and is held accountable for achieving extraordinary things. That’s the magic of strong leadership values in action.

And if you’re looking for a partner on this leadership journey, that’s where I come in. As a consultant, I can help you hone your leadership values, develop a winning strategy for embedding them within your team, and actualize the full potential of your team.

FAQs

How do you define leadership values?

Leadership values are beliefs that guide a leader’s decisions and actions, shaping their leadership style and organizational culture. They influence effective leadership, team environment, and company success. Leaders who embody these values earn respect and commitment.

What are the most ideal leadership values that a leader should have?

Ideal leadership values include personal virtues, inspiring, motivating, and guiding teams toward goals. These interconnected qualities emphasize ethical conduct, emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and motivation. Cultivating these values creates a positive, productive, and sustainable environment for teams and organizations.

How to find your core leadership values?

To identify your core leadership values, you need to reflect on your personal values, experiences, and the cultural context of your organization. This process involves examining your reactions to change, admiring leaders, and aligning your values with your organization’s goals, mission, and culture.

Why are core values important in leadership?

Core values are essential in leadership for guiding decision-making, shaping organizational culture, inspiring and motivating teams, building trust and respect, attracting and retaining talent, driving performance, differentiating the brand, and facilitating continuous improvement. They provide a framework for evaluating opportunities, challenges, and ethical dilemmas, enhancing teamwork, motivation, and job satisfaction. Leaders who embody and promote core values create a positive, engaging, and high-performing workplace, contributing to the organization’s overall success. 

Related Articles

• Leading from the Heart: Lessons in Authentic Leadership for Real Businesses
• Examples of Integrity in Leadership: Lessons from Successful Leaders
• 6 Goleman Leadership Styles: When to Use Each for Business Excellence

References

• Better Up
• Forbes
• Elevate Leadership