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 fashion designer, value are ensuring customer satisfaction, delivering a well detailed service and ensuring continuity
In my current organisation where I work, we have “verify” as one of our most important values. You cannot just assume. As a data driven organisation, we are motivated to verify and validate information we get. It does not mean distrust but a validation of trust
Conscientiousness, Exceptionalism, Positivity
Conscientiousness: the quality of wishing to do one’s work or duty well and thoroughly.
This guide my delivery as the company designer. I take my time to do my duty well and thoroughly, I understand that content going out there are for the public education, so I won’t want to mislead them.
Exceptionalism: I have to most times do things differently from the norms, not like how everyone does things. We stand out from other companion our industry as a communication company.
Positivity: We rest when we are tired but we do not give up. So if we would really want to help a client, we would want them to see the positivity of their process also.
As an architect, below are some organisational values and how they influence my work in projects
Adaptability – Emphasizing the ability to respond to change in circumstances and client needs.
Safety – Prioritizing the well being and safety of occupants and users of a builing. This influences accesibility, structural integrity and compliance with buliding codes and regulations.
As a microfinance practitioner. There are some rules and also moral and ethical standards we ought to imbibe. One of such is to follow laid down rules ,the dos and donts and the then the moral obligation to do right by a client. Stealing is not allowed. Committing fraud is a no. So we can say
Trust
Integrity
Been trustworthy
Been open and transparent
Are some key factors
As a brand manager of an entertainment brand we value providing only the best for our audience and always exploring new opportunities in order to provide value to them, and we are never passive about the content we create. and we have a belief of empathy for all creatives who work with us.
As a project manager in a solar installation company, Certainly! Here are some organizational values that a solar installation company may prioritize:
Environmental Sustainability: A commitment to reducing carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy, and protecting the environment through the widespread adoption of solar energy.
Quality and Reliability: A focus on delivering high-quality solar installations that meet industry standards, adhere to best practices, and provide reliable performance over the long term.
Customer Satisfaction: A dedication to exceeding customer expectations by providing exceptional service, personalized solutions, and ongoing support throughout the solar installation process.
Innovation and Technology: An emphasis on innovation, research, and development to continuously improve solar technology, increase efficiency, and drive down costs for customers.
Integrity and Ethics: A commitment to conducting business with honesty, integrity, and transparency, while adhering to ethical standards and regulatory requirements.
Safety and Compliance: A priority on ensuring the safety of employees, customers, and the public by adhering to rigorous safety protocols, training programs, and regulatory compliance.
Community Engagement: A focus on actively engaging with local communities, stakeholders, and partners to foster positive relationships, support economic development, and address community needs.
Teamwork and Collaboration: A culture of teamwork, collaboration, and respect among employees, subcontractors, and partners to achieve common goals and deliver successful solar installation projects.
These organizational values would influence work in projects by guiding decision-making, shaping priorities, and driving behavior at every stage of the project lifecycle. For example:
Environmental sustainability values would influence project design and implementation, prioritizing energy-efficient solutions, minimizing environmental impact, and maximizing the use of renewable resources.
Quality and reliability values would ensure that projects are executed to the highest standards, with rigorous quality control measures, thorough inspections, and ongoing maintenance to ensure long-term performance and customer satisfaction.
Customer satisfaction values would drive a customer-centric approach to project management, focusing on communication, responsiveness, and personalized service to meet customer needs and exceed expectations.
Innovation and technology values would encourage the adoption of cutting-edge solar technology and best practices, driving continuous improvement and optimization of project outcomes.
Integrity and ethics values would guide ethical decision-making, transparent communication, and compliance with laws, regulations, and industry standards to build trust and credibility with stakeholders.
Safety and compliance values would prioritize the health and safety of workers and the public, ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols, training programs, and regulatory requirements throughout the project.
Community engagement values would emphasize proactive engagement with local communities, stakeholders, and partners to build positive relationships, address concerns, and create shared value for all stakeholders involved in the project.
Teamwork and collaboration values would foster a collaborative work environment where employees, subcontractors, and partners work together seamlessly to achieve project goals, solve challenges, and deliver successful outcomes.
Overall, these organizational values would serve as guiding principles that shape the culture, behavior, and decision-making processes within a solar installation organization, ensuring alignment with the company’s mission, vision, and long-term goals.
As a business person our core values are
1. honesty
2. excellence
3.integrity
4. transparency
5. trust
These core values help us do our business effectively
In my group, our core values are honesty, kindness, discipline and integrity
As a Teacher, the key values expected of me both from the management and parents includes;
1. Quality of teaching,
2. Integrity,
3. Team work,
4. Dedication,
5. Management,
6. Discipline.
It is expected of me to deliver quality teaching at all times. Also, I have to be a good ambassador of my name and the school at all times, I must be able to collaborate with my colleagues for effective teaching and proper working culture, dedication and right attitude to work at all times should be my watchword, the ability to manage my class and other students to maintain a serene academic environment is of paramount importance. discipline needs to be maintained also for proper conduct in the school.