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 PM… While onsite I get to set some of the moral rules while on the job… While core values are instinctive to an extend….., your conscience and common sense should guide you.
Value: we maintain high standard on punctuality, time management and effective communication
Respect and accountability are really important values that we follow in my place of work. Being accountable for your actions is essential as a team leader or team member.
Values are vital to any organisation sustainability. Some of the values which my workplace follows are integrity, innovation, diversity and inclusive, and excellence.
Value is an important thing in organization. Value is what keep an organization or company well organize and more productive
My organization’s core values are Focus, Open-mindedness, Cleanliness, Unity, Sincerity, Excellent and Diligence.
At my workplace, the core values we share is integrity, collaboration, innovation and customer focus. All of these values inculcates a right mind and habit in an employee and also drives focus in reaching the organizational goals and objectives.
Values and moral principles are vital to the sustenance of any individual and corporate organization.
My organization’s core values are Focus, Open-mindedness, Cleanliness, Unity, Sincerity, Excellent and Diligence.
Focus: This entails that the mind (eye) must be focused on the goal (task) and never loosing sight for a quality delivery.
Open-mindedness: One must be open minded, stay positive and ready to learn, unlearn and relearn. Being open to new ideas and welcome suggestions for progress.
Cleanliness: Hygiene should be taken as a top priority and not compromised.
Unity: This speaks about oneness with the organization and team one works with. Team spirit must be top notch and cooperation should be highly regarded
Sincerity: Being truthful, genuine and forthcoming helps in the corporate dealings thereby setting one apart from the crowd.
Excellence: Outstanding performance is expected of every individual towards achieving the vision and mission of the organization.
Diligence: Putting in one’s best at all times not minding if anyone is there to watch or not.
In a nutshell, the choice of value plays a pivotal role in the life of an individual or an organization in determining how far such goes in the spheres of life.
My organization’s core values are youth and women development, governance and democracy, educational advancement, and peacebuilding and human rights, they are fundamental pillars that guide our work on projects.
Youth and Women Development: In every project, we would prioritize creating opportunities for the empowerment and advancement of youth and women. This could involve targeted programs to enhance their skills, education, and economic prospects, ensuring their inclusion and participation in decision-making processes.
Governance and Democracy: Our projects would be designed to promote transparency, accountability, and participation in governance structures. This might include initiatives to strengthen democratic institutions, foster civic engagement, and advocate for policies that uphold democratic principles.
Educational Advancement: Education is key to personal and societal development. Our projects would focus on improving access to quality education for all, regardless of gender or age. This could involve establishing schools, providing scholarships, or developing educational resources to support lifelong learning.
Peacebuilding and Human Rights: Central to our projects would be the promotion of peace, justice, and respect for human rights. We would actively work to address conflicts, promote reconciliation, and ensure that the rights of all individuals are protected and upheld.
Reflecting on these core values, it’s evident that our work in projects is not just about achieving specific objectives but also about making a meaningful impact on society. By prioritizing the empowerment of youth and women, fostering democratic governance, advancing education, and promoting peace and human rights, we contribute to building a more inclusive, equitable, and just world for all. These core values serve as our compass, guiding us towards sustainable development and positive social change.
For the success of a project, some organizational values must be considered which are : honesty, punctuality, integrity, passion,respect and so on..They are intended to guide the behavior and decision making of the team in an organization.
Honesty : This means being truthful and transparent in all aspects of your business..
It about being opened to ur partner in an organization.
Respect: As a member in a team, he/she much bt respectful to the project managers , partners and clients in an organization.
Punctuality: as a team member in an organization, he/she must be punctual that is he/she must always be early to work, and also early to meetings these shows that the work is a priority to such person and d person is taking it seriously.
Values or basic ethics are core principles that can’t be neglected. For a successful project, the core values are;
1. ADAPTATIONS and FLEXIBILITY: As a project manager, you’ll also learn how to manage people and be flexible to enough to adjust and adapt to certain conditions in other to make the project grow.
2. INTEGRITY and HONESTY: To make others trust you, you have to be straight forward and TRANSPARENT.
3. PUNCTUALITY: Today, remote jobs are taking over, but punctuality is still a core value, if a meeting is by 9, on or before nine, be there, physically or virtually