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 my organization, some of our core values are humanity, impartiality, voluntary service and unity, and each of these shapes how I approach projects.
Humanity keeps me focused on people’s real needs. Impartiality ensures fairness in decision. Voluntary service drives my commitment beyond obligation. And unity inspires teamwork for better results.
These values guide my mindset, choices and interactions, ensuring that every project I work on reflects not just our objectives but also the ethical foundation of our organization.
Ethics is very essential in my organization. There are set rules and standards that everyone follows example of which is “safety first”, then “Quality is kon negotiable” and anyone found deviating will surely face the panel.
Ethics is non negotiable as a project manager, in my organization ethics are core very important, time keeping, showing up and being available, Good Sense of humour perceive of your colleague, and more. Organization with ethics is organization with system and it can build structure, as a project manager ethics is very important
Ethics is a crucial aspect of the operation of every profession. In my organization, confidentiality and technological advancements are very core values that shape our day-to-day activities. Because of this, we are focused on working efficiently with technology while ensuring that the high level of confidentiality is not compromised.
Organizational values guide how our decisions are made, especially when there’s no clear right answer, in our organization; transparency with stakeholders is prioritized even when the news isn’t great.
Our project’s direction and key outcomes is also shaped by the organizational values and conduct. For instance; the organization values customer focus, hence a need to incorporate more user feedback and prioritize user satisfaction in our deliverables.
Ethics is very important in guiding us as project managers. It helps to remove any form of bias or discrimination. It also helps us in keeping transparency as a policy.
At our organization, ethics are core values that shape our organizational culture, influencing behavior and decision-making. It ensures our actions align with values like fairness, honesty, and respect.
In our organization, moral rules, values, and policies shape and guide us, distinguishing us as a bright and respectable entity. They are the foundation of our success and the compass for our actions.
Moral Rules and Values for a Goal-Oriented and Brighter Organization
In my workplace, ethics, standards, policies, are always at the hem of affairs. it pushes you towards being able to achieve what the organisational goals are and also keep the organisations towards achieving what its known and stands for.
At our organization, ethics aren’t an afterthought—they are the heartbeat of our work. Every choice we make is rooted in our core values and guided by a clear code of practice. We live by unwavering moral principles and rules of conduct that shape the way we treat each other, our partners, and the communities we serve.
These are supported by firm rules and regulations to ensure we operate with transparency and full compliance, no matter the circumstances. But for us, ethics go beyond policies—they’re brought to life every day through consistent ethical practices in our operations, our stakeholder relationships, and our decision-making processes.
By integrating these six pillars—values, code of practice, moral principles, rules of conduct, regulations, and ethical practices—into the very fabric of our culture, we build an environment where integrity isn’t negotiable, accountability is embraced, and trust is earned through action.
This approach not only protects our reputation—it strengthens our teams, deepens stakeholder confidence, and ensures that every project we deliver reflects the highest standard of professionalism and care.