As we talked about before in this module, it’s important for project managers to work ethically. This means doing the right thing, not just following rules. There are written rules and laws, but there are also moral rules and values.
What are these moral rules and values? Let’s break it down with some explanations and examples.
Moral rules are like a list of dos and don’ts for how a person should behave. For instance, one moral rule is “don’t steal.”
Values are strong beliefs that guide how we act in different situations. They show what we think is good behavior. Values can be personal, but they can also be shared in groups like companies. When a bunch of people in the same group share these values, they shape how everyone acts in that group.
In companies, these shared values are super important. They make up the core of what the company’s culture is all about. These values are a small set of important beliefs that don’t change much, and they really influence how people act at work.
For example, The Open University (2019) has some values they believe in:
In our work, we stick to The Open University values of being inclusive, innovative, and responsive.
The value of being inclusive and innovative is a big part of what people do at The Open University. They use this value to make sure everyone can access knowledge through new and creative solutions.
Values and moral rules help everyone know how to behave in a group or at work. It’s good to think about them to understand how they affect the decisions we make when working on projects.
Think about the values your workplace or a group you’re in follows. Can you name some of these values? How do these values affect how you work on projects? Share your thoughts with other learners in the discussion below.
In the organization where I work, our core values are Accountability, Teamwork, Compassion and Inclusivity. These values have shaped my life ensuring teamwork among staff and working with the community and not for the community
John made assumptions , not knowing the usual practice while William did not engage well with his team members. Communication was lacking. Karen was calm and analytical. She displayed critical thinking and was able to proffer useful solution.
Ethics, values and norms helps to keep people on the right track in every aspect of life, inorder to maintain a healthy lifestyle in both business and other wise.
Ethics and values check mates the behavior of workers in an organization and when this is been in line clients and customers would be attracted to that organization
Where I work, values include integrity, hard work, confidentiality, and dedication. These values are expected of all staff members. Morals include Punctuality and no gossip. This has shaped me to be at work as early as possible and say positive things about my colleagues even during conflicts and difficult situations which has fostered a healthy relationship among us.
In the company I worked for, the core values revolve around sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration without competition to achieve organizational objectives. Moreover, there’s a strong emphasis on using life experiences to drive growth for both the employees and the customers.
On projects, this values instilled in my former workplace would foster healthy relationship with team members. Also, it would enable effective and efficient collaboration in projects.
In the company I currently work in, some of the values include, Feedback is a must:
We must be able to give feedback to customers/clients when they need solutions to their inquiries or issues. This has shaped the way I do things, I either give a holding response when I am yet to get a solution or give the customer feedback as to when the issue will be resolved. This way, the client/customer knows they are being attended to.
Ethics in project management ensures that decisions are guided by integrity and fairness. By promoting strong values, organizations enhance accountability, boost efficiency, and build trust with clients, leading to stronger relationships and long-term success.
Some distinct values at an NGO I want at are hardwork and “family-hood” Everyone is welcome with open arms and there’s love among everyone, making us work with each other with kindness and respect.
Ethics and values are integral part of an organization’s image which either repels users or make users committed to an organization