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 appreciates values such as hard work, competence, effective communication and commitment.
Some of the values in the company i work in are diligence, integrity, quality, customer delight. This helps me to be diligent in my duties, and to be committed to delivering quality to the customers so that they’ll not only be satisfied, but be delighted.
At the Youth Development and Leadership Foundation I serve as a training coordinator, the values of excellence and integrity has inspired me to put in my best in whatever I do as anything less than the best is not good enough since I have the capacity. Also, the organization holds strongly to the value of integrity. Everything I do should be done in honesty and sincerity.
honesty accountability, hard work and respectful
The core values of my company as a pharmaceutical industry is quality,integrity and transparency
As a part-time trainer in a Maritime training institute, we are expected to treat our guests with the highest level of professionalism, meet their training needs in terms of speed and level of assimilation.
The value of my workplace is – Health made easy. While discharging this value we are expected to Proactive, Portray levels of professionalism, Effective communication, be accountable, be of excellence and Respectful
The specific work values and principles of My work place Lagos State government may evolve over time and official government documents, codes of conduct, or mission statements However, typical government work values often include transparency, accountability, integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to public service.
The core values in my office as a diagnostic center is transparency, access to accurate results and honesty
As a student leader, it’s crucial for me to consider our organization’s values and how they influence my work in various projects. Let’s explore a few key aspects:
Alignment with Student Interests: Our organization’s values, especially those focused on inclusivity and responsiveness, resonate with the interests of our fellow students. I see an opportunity to ensure that our projects prioritize the inclusive representation of all students and remain responsive to their needs and concerns.
Empowerment and Innovation: If our values highlight empowerment and innovation, these principles can be the driving force behind our leadership. I aim to create projects that empower our peers to actively participate and contribute, fostering a culture of creativity and continuous improvement.
Ethical Decision-Making: Our organizational values often encompass ethical principles. These values serve as a compass, guiding our decision-making processes. They ensure that our projects uphold ethical standards, maintain integrity, and respect diverse perspectives.
Collaboration and Engagement: Values related to collaboration encourage me to promote collective efforts not only within our student union but also in collaboration with other student organizations. This approach can create a more engaged and united student community.
Accountability and Transparency: Our organization values accountability and transparency. They set a high standard for responsible project management. I commit to ensuring that project outcomes are well-communicated, and accountability is maintained at every stage of our projects.
These values are the foundation of our ethical and effective leadership within the student union. They guide our decisions, inspire our projects, and ultimately contribute to a positive and inclusive environment for all of us as students
Values and moral conduct go side by side for professionals. Having discipline to act right in line with code of ethics while discharging ones duties is key for growth. Pilfering among healthcare professionals has resulted to down run of the drug revolving fund leaving the stores empty with lots of out of stocks. If the head do not hold up good values and morality, there’s little to nothing they can achieve as a body
The values of the organization where I work are THIS EPIC: Teamwork, Honesty, Innovation, Speed, Excellence, Passion, Impact, and Client-first.
This is seen in the way we relate with stakeholders, work on projects and achieve our goals.
As a banker, the core values of my bank are:—leadership, excellence, empowered employees, passion for customers, professionalism, and innovation—play a pivotal role in influencing your work on projects within the bank:
Leadership: As an employed staff of the bank, I am encouraged to exhibit leadership qualities in projects. This means taking initiative, making decisions, and setting a positive example for my team. Leadership ensures projects move forward with direction and purpose.
Excellence: Striving for excellence in every project is a fundamental value. It means going above and beyond to deliver high-quality results. Attention to detail, continuous improvement, and commitment to project success are all influenced by this value.
Empowered Employees: My organization values empowered employees, which in projects means giving team members the autonomy to make decisions and take ownership. Empowered teams are more motivated and capable of driving project success.
Passion for Customer: My daily tasks in the bank are ultimately aimed at benefiting customers. My passion for customer value means that my projects are designed and executed with the customer’s needs and satisfaction in mind. It guides project requirements and outcomes.
Professionalism: Professionalism ensures that projects are conducted with the utmost integrity, adherence to ethical standards, and respect for stakeholders and I uphold that as a standard. It influences how I interact with team members, clients, and other project stakeholders.
Innovation: Innovation encourages creative problem-solving and the adoption of new technologies or approaches. It influences project teams to seek innovative solutions, making processes more efficient and customer-focused.
In summary, these core values of my organization are not just words but guiding principles that significantly impact my work on projects. They instill a commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, integrity, and innovation, which are essential elements for successful project management within the bank.