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.
An organisation works better when it has moral principles and values imbibed by everyone that is part of it.
The core values in my organisation are:
Integrity, excellence, teamwork and respect. These values have made me and everyone I work with to always strive to deliver an excellent job and be at our best in all we deliver because excellence is key. Also, working together in teams and sharing ideas has helped us grow as individuals and even personally not withstanding respecting one another despite our cultural, national, religious and ethic differences while working together. It has also helped us to build of solid team of people with integrity.
An organization that has a good and notable moral conducts and values has better chances of thriving more that the other.
Those ethics are what keeps an organization going and also influences the team members positively.
Value makes an organization, there will be no systems in an organization if there is no value.
it tells what u have to do and don’t which serve as the description or culture of an organization
For my construction company, the core values are;
1. **Quality Workmanship:**
– Prioritize delivering high-quality construction work that meets or exceeds industry standards.
– Implement rigorous quality control measures to ensure the durability and longevity of completed projects.
– Regularly invest in employee training to enhance skills and stay updated on the latest construction techniques.
2. **Safety First:**
– Establish and maintain a strong safety culture, emphasizing the well-being of both employees and stakeholders.
– Implement comprehensive safety protocols and regularly conduct training programs to minimize on-site accidents.
– Regularly assess and update safety procedures to align with industry best practices and regulations.
3. **Timely Project Delivery:**
– Develop efficient project management processes to ensure timely completion of construction projects.
– Regularly monitor project timelines, identifying and addressing potential delays promptly.
– Foster effective communication between project teams and clients to manage expectations and ensure transparency throughout the construction process.
The three pillars of my organization are integrity, respect, and confidence.
One’s personal values can be honesty, transparency and integrity
The core values are discretion, integrity and diligence.
Excellent, integrity and trustworthy are the main value my organization took as their priority in dealing with people
The core values in my organization are, long term, innovative, friendly and ethical. This has helped me grow professionally in how I treat other colleagues, and customers. Applying these values in every aspect of my life, meaning not just at work but in my daily life engagements
My organization is known for it honesty and integrity. It has helped us to even get out of our comfort zone to make sure we don’t broke people trust. No matter the consequence, we will still tell you the truth.