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 an organisation in the development sector, our organizational values are integrity, ingenuity, professionalism, commitment and hard work. And these values has formed part of the organisational culture of the organisation thereby making the staff thrive better and become really productive
Integrity , inclusivity and teamwork are the values that guide my organization. These values have been of great help in ensuring that we maintain our customer base and projects are carried out swiftly and in the best way possible
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) play a crucial role in society and typically uphold the following values and principles:
1.Humanitarianism:NGOs often focus on helping those in need, providing assistance to vulnerable populations during crises, and addressing basic human rights.
2.Social Justice:They work towards reducing inequality, advocating for human rights, and promoting fairness in society.
3.Accountability: NGOs are expected to be transparent and accountable for their actions, both in terms of their finances and their impact.
4.Empowerment:They aim to empower individuals and communities by providing them with the tools, resources, and knowledge to improve their own lives.
5.Independence:NGOs strive to remain independent from government or corporate influence to maintain their ability to advocate for the rights of marginalized groups.
6. Sustainability:Many NGOs focus on sustainable development and environmental preservation, seeking to balance social, economic, and environmental needs.
7. Volunteerism:NGOs often rely on the dedication of volunteers and activists who are committed to their causes.
8.Ethical Conduct:They are expected to adhere to ethical guidelines and principles, ensuring that their actions are in the best interests of those they serve.
9. Participation: NGOs often involve the communities they serve in decision-making processes to ensure that their actions align with the needs and desires of the people they support.
These values guide the work of NGOs and help them make a positive impact on a wide range of issues, from humanitarian crises to environmental conservation and social justice.
I am part of a political organization setting. Our core value is General Inclusiveness. This means we are carrying everyone along and the opinion of all stakeholder matters in the course of things. No one’s left behind. This makes us transparent and accountable for every action and decision taken
Values and moral principles
Diversity and Inclusivity,
Professionalism and teamwork guide the actions of everyone in my organizational
Organizational values where I find myself include punctuality, professionalism, transparency and capacity building.
In my business, our values include integrity, trustworthiness and ensuring customer satisfaction. These values influence my actions as I make sure that these conditions are met with my customers.
My organisation functions in the development space and the core values that govern what we do are:
1. Commitment
2. Growth Mindset
3. Innovation
4. Transparency and Accountability
5. Strong Work Ethic
6. Gender Consciousness
These values guide our work as well as our work and relationships with stake holders and clients across all our networks.
In the Organisation I work, our core values includes:
Safety
Communication
Team work
Problem Solving in different departments
Quality
Customer focus
my organizational values are listed below;
1. safety first
2. integrity
3. punctuality
4. believe in yourself
5. be responsible
As an Agent support officer, quality service, problem solving , working according to standard and ethics are key values for my key stake holder to trust me.
As a scientist in the health sector my organization Values include the following
We are dedicated to the provision of prompt, qualitative, acceptable, accessible and affordable healthcare services through highly motivated workforce and modern technology in collaboration with stakeholders
Professionalism, Honesty, Transparency, Accountability, Patient satisfaction, Cleanliness, Neatness, Team work, Staff Motivation, Development and Efficiency in resource Management
This Values has helped us stand out and remained relevant in the Health sector
As a mechanical engineer , my company values are as follows,:
1. Safety first
2. Integrity
3. Believe you can do it
4. Feedback and update about any issues occur