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.
My organisation has five core values: Customer experience, integrity, reliance, accessibility and excellence. These values are to show in our interaction with customers, one another, and with the organisation itself. It’s more of a personality build up.
At the heart of our organization lie core values that shape everything we do: respect, integrity, sustainability, quality and excellence, innovation, and passion. These principles are not just ideals—they are the foundation of our operations and the driving force behind our commitment to building a healthier world. We embrace diversity and adapt boldly to a rapidly evolving global landscape.
The ethics of a project manager are excellence, integrity,professionalism, timeline and collaboration have really helped me in the organization I work and which had also added value to my skill, connections. As a project manager, we really need to add ethics to what we do.
In the organization I work, some of our values are integrity, teamwork, respect and being professional.
These values shape how I interact with clients, colleagues and manage time. I ensure that every project reflects not just my personal competence, but also the reputation of the company and also helps to give quality result that our clients desires.
In the organisation I work, some of our values are integrity, excellence, confidentiality, teamwork, respect, service, professionalism. These values shape how I interact with clients and colleagues, manage time, edit documents, and manage projects. I ensure that every project reflects not just my personal competence, but also the reputation of the firm.
In the organization I work some of our values are Integrity, Rigor, Empathy, and Courage.
This shapes the work I do every day and also in my relationship with colleagues and clients
In the organisations I have worked with some of their values and morals are timeliness, collaborations, sharing information and ideas as a team, delegation of tasks, respect and planning.
Bringing it to project management, these values and morals will help me plan, collaborate, assign tasks, communicate to stakeholders and team members, show empathy and respect as well as being flexible and adaptable.
What you’ve written here is not just a collection of words; it’s a thoughtful exploration of what it means to be human.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
Morals and values are not only essential for project managers but also for us as human beings. The principles we learn from our families shape who we are and guide us in life. In project management, these same morals and values apply just as they do in our communities. The way you treat a project should reflect the same respect and care you give to your most tangible values.