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.
The importance of values cannot be overemphasized as a PM. Core values that should guide me as a PM include: Inclusivity, Innovation, Responsiveness among others.
In the organization where I recently worked, the core values were integrity, safety and customer satisfaction.
Values are paramount in every organization. It serves as a base or a foundation of an organization’s success. In my company we have values such as, honesty, politeness, respect, neatness, and teamwork.
Ikechukwu Nwafor
I work with a telecom firm and our core values are:
Safety, Quality, Integrity, Innovation, Customer satisfaction,Teamwork, Accountability, and Respect for each other.
In the organisation where I work, values such as respect for all, accountability, honesty, transparency is key.
This makes team work easier and foster communication since responsibility will be taken by the defaulting party
I work in the Health Care Segment, the value of the particular facility is, Save The Life First, Ask About Money later, as a life lost cannot be discussed later, meanwhile financial settlement can de discussed later. With our core value, every patient brought into the facility irrespective of your financial standing, at the point of emergency, your life is saved first,so we all work accordingly.
I work in the health care sector and one cogent moral value is respecting both patients, clients and other health care workers
I work with a non-governmental organization (NGO) that implements campaigns on HIV and AIDS, offering both prevention and testing services. Inclusiveness is one of our core values, and it shapes the conduct of every team member. We ensure that all clients are treated with equal respect and without any form of discrimination.
I did a short internship at the National Polio Emergency Operations Center and it is guided by the following values; coordinated action, strategic direction, operational excellence, and a commitment to eradicating wild poliovirus (WPV). These values helps guide the actions of the individuals employed in the organisation.
Discussion Point on alternative ways for PMs to support their team members
As part of the ongoing discussion on supporting teams during high-pressure times, one possible alternative I’d suggest is organizing a team meal or casual hangout after a busy period. This can serve as a tangible way to show appreciation and help strengthen team bonds.
I am close allies with a digital marketing company of which I am kind of a dormant partner. The value we hold is, ‘for everyone the growth of the company is the growth of all’. We value the wellbeing of every staff and team member. Also punctuality and diligence is a watchword. As much as we work as a family we do not joke with diligence and excellent results. If I am to operate as a project manager in this organization, paying respect to these values and culture will help me get along well with every stakeholder and team member for a successful project outcome.