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.
As a project manager you must let ethics and values be your allmark if you want to succeed in any project that you embarked on. The organization I work with, our core values include:
1. Accountability- We believe in being accountable
2. Integrity- We also act with integrity.
3. Service- we serve all clients equally. Without any discrimination. And as a project manager this are some of the values that you need to succeed.
Integrity, Excellence, Leadership, Trust and innovation are part of the values of a PM.
As an educationist my core values are:
-Effective leadership and interpersonal skills
-The ability to command respect and to create a sense of community amongst the members of the project team.
-Good understanding of the procurement process including negotiation with third parties
-The ability to find ways of solving or pre-empting problems
These values what influence the work in my projects:
1. Collaboration: If collaboration is an organizational value, it would encourage teamwork, open communication, and cooperation among project team members. This value would promote the sharing of ideas, knowledge, and resources, leading to better project outcomes.
2. Innovation: If innovation is a core value, it would encourage project teams to think creatively, explore new ideas, and find unique solutions to challenges. This value would foster a culture of continuous improvement and experimentation within projects.
3. Integrity: If integrity is a fundamental value, it would emphasize honesty, transparency, and ethical behavior in project work. This value would guide project team members to act with integrity, maintain high standards of professionalism, and ensure the project is conducted in an ethical manner.
4. Customer Focus: If customer focus is a key value, it would prioritize meeting the needs and expectations of project stakeholders, including clients, customers, or end-users. This value would drive project teams to deliver high-quality results that align with the requirements and preferences of the target audience.
5. Sustainability: If sustainability is an organizational value, it would encourage project teams to consider the long-term environmental, social, and economic impacts of their work. This value would promote the integration of sustainable practices and responsible resource management throughout the project lifecycle.
As a PM, it is important to have rules, principles and laws guiding your actions. Your ethics is also a way of selling your brand
Integrity,
Innovation,
Customer Satisfaction,
Accountability, are key values shared and owned.
As an agropreneur, the core values of our organization are effective delivery of our products in perfect condition, honesty and always keep an open mind with our clients.
My organization uphold excellence, integrity, originality and transparency.
My Organization’s values are; inclusivity, excellence, integrity, honesty and transparency.
My organisation values are inclusivity, innovative, accountability, transparency, honesty and humility. Abiding by these values helped me to grow in the organisation and improved my interpersonal relationships with others.