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.
A core value in my organisation is the “lean culture.” In all organisational undertakings, this serves as a major pointer in decision making. The goal is to eliminate any form of waste, while ensuring effectiveness and efficiency of all organisational processes.
In my role as a mental helpline responder, our workplace is grounded in core values that shape our approach to providing support. Two fundamental values that serve as the bedrock of our work are:
1. Confidentiality:
– At the heart of our service is a commitment to maintaining the utmost confidentiality. Callers can trust that their issues and concerns are safe with us and will not be shared or discussed outside of the helpline. This confidentiality creates a safe space for individuals to open up without the fear of their personal struggles being disclosed elsewhere.
2. **Empathy:**
– Dealing with a diverse range of individuals, we embrace the value of empathy. Regardless of how callers may sound or act, we approach each interaction with genuine understanding and compassion. This empathetic approach helps foster a connection with callers, assuring them that their feelings are acknowledged and respected.
These values play a pivotal role in building a supportive environment for our callers. By upholding confidentiality, we create an atmosphere of trust where individuals feel secure in sharing their thoughts and emotions. The emphasis on empathy ensures that our responses are sensitive to the unique experiences of each caller, promoting a non-judgmental space for them to express themselves.
Ultimately, these values not only guide our interactions but also contribute to the effectiveness of our helpline by encouraging open communication and instilling a sense of safety and understanding for those reaching out for support.
Values from my practice of public relations include, but are not limited to accountability, integrity, commitment to excellence, and project-centric communications, as well as patience and teamwork.
– Chijoke Obioma, Team 5, Cohort 13
Empathy, integrity and compassion are my core values.
As a procurement officer integrity, discipline, commitment and time management is my core value.
Our organization’s values include commitment, diligence, discipline, excellence and integrity. In this educational institution, moral and academic excellence is our core mandate and these values put together will help one to have an edge way in any kind of engagement as a Project Manager. We are expected to take responsibility for our actions and be accountable for every step that we take. Leadership and professionalism are also important values.
As a pharmacist, Commitment, empathy and timely response are the core values of my facility.
As a pharmacist, Commitment, empathy and timely response are the core values of my organisation
The values of the organisation I am associated with are Excellence, Leadership, Integrity and Teamwork. These are quite easy to resonate with, and it is intended by the organisation that all team members (as we usually prefer to call ourselves) carry these values into every design we work on, and make them excellent, and in consideration of the contribution of other members. Nobody carries out a design individually. And we believe that makes us leaders in the industry.
The values at my workplace are:
Accountability: We Take responsibility for our actions and ensure goal achievement.
Innovation: We Encourage creativity, continuous improvement, and the development of new ideas.
Collaboration: We Promote teamwork, open communication, and cooperation across the organization.