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.
Flexibility, integrity, professional competence and due care are the ethical values of my profession.
To get a project done, it’s needed to demonstrate integrity, being straightforward at every point of the project process.
One must also maintain professional knowledge and skill to ensure the stakeholders receives competent professional service
values are more or less rules set in place to maintain a certain standard of the job or projects.
In this case Being unbiased and credible is one of the most important values expected on a project to succeed, that way you do the job as it is expected of you and not determined to favour anyone.
From various places I have worked most values and principles of operation revolve around inclusive, Honesty,innovation, Creativity and integrity. The code of conduct shapes relations at work, thereby ensuring everyone is treated fairly, respected and appreciated.
The values are
Integrity
Honesty
Punctuality
Loyality
Integrity is core value, adherence to moral and ethical principles are important for an Organization and
Project manager to be successful.
organisation value reflect what the company stand for, principles and morals speak volume about the individual. having values and principle is a great thing for a project manager to be successful.
Moral principles and values are sets of rules that guide the behavior of a person as well in an organization. These principles are there to guide against indiscipline and to shape the behavior of the members of the organization. For example, if you won’t dress shabbily to your date, you shouldn’t as well dress shabbily to the office.
Integrity: Be trusted in the course of delivering services both to the clients and your colleagues
Pro-activeness: Ensure that you see and prevent breakdowns from happening. And when there is eventual breakdown of equipment or installations, be fast at fixing it – Above all, ensure to identify the route cause of the problem.
Customer Satisfaction: Make our clients happy at all times but when you meet difficult clients, contact a superior personnel.
LEADERSHIP -take responsibility(s) when and where necessary regardless of your rank in the company’s organogram in the absence of the Manager or higher authority.
OWNERSHIP – actively involved in the company’s business execution of strategic goals (Win-Win approach) as if it were your own.
INTEGRITY – with all Stakeholders both internal and external, transactions should be transparent.
PASSION FOR WINNING – always, believe that success is a sure outcome at the end of the business day, month, and year.
TRUST – no need for any follow-up when assigned to any task, and will deliver exactly the expected result.
Ethics, Values, and Morals play a significant part in the overall success and quality of a project. It begins firstly with each individual on the team, however, it is the major responsibility of the project manager to ensure that certain sets of values, norms, practices, etc. should guide and drive the team on the project.