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.
Empathy is part of our organizational value that I’ve come to embody in all my dealings. it has become a part of me and has greatly shaped my interactions with others.
To add to things that can be done:
A worker’s dinner or eating launch out with the employees and colleagues can help foster lasting bonds between them.
As a practicing accountant, there is what is called professional ethics. these are guiding rules that help with behavioral patterns in the work place. not adhering to te professional ethics guiding certain practices always leads to an unruly work behaviour. this in turn can breed a lot of negative energy
As a project Manager,the ethical value someone as to look into are:
* Rules and regulations
*Moral principles
*Responsiveness
+Empathy
Talking about a church choir, the value is for us to create true worshippers. And as the value suggests, its a task that requires us to be that and live the life of a true worshiper also which itself is another set of morals that contribute to individual values.
To me, the moral and principle guiding an individual is honesty. As a project manager,if you’re a honest person,your client will be satisfied and may end up referring you to others.
My role as a Payment Manager in a Financial Technology organization entails standard values also required for various project types that must be adhered to. The values are accountability which is one of the pillars of business activities, Integrity and respect.
These values are important inwards and outwards of the organization I work with.
Core Values of a project manager, should include transparency, Accountability, Efficiency, Effectiveness, development and adequate support
Moral principles matters a lot in managing projects.
I personally believe that Integrity and transparency are key values in project management
As an organization we have set of values or guiding principles we usually joke when you do something out of line by telling you this is not Purplins Compliant. Meaning you are doing something that do not represent the values and character of our organization. We as an educational institution have the moral obligation to be fair and just and equitable hence our values are excellence, innovation, integrity, accountability and transparency.
These has helped to shape the organization in the past 11 years and giving the organization the foundation of trust and faith it enjoys both from employees and customers.
We encourage excellence in behaviour and output and delivering value in all our projects, we encourage innovation And always want to be ahead of our competition in that regard, also we encourage people of faith to be seen to be people of faith by maintaining the core teaching of all faith, we boast in being accountable to our customers as they can call us on and off working hours. We operate an open door policy for everyone and organize regular quarterly meetings with customers and clients to engage and communicate old and new policies.
All these of done right and consistently will give every organization a solid foundation just like mine.
Values are as important to a project manager as the project itself. Cos value outline the project and attracts opportunity to the project manager
Some of the values that relates directly with my job as a relationship manager is transparency, teamwork, accountability, swift reparation, and empathy etc
Firstly, as an individual, you must have a value system that makes it easier to stick to the ethics of your practice. Being a project management means you should have a moral conscience to be ethical in all your dealings and ensure compliance within the teams you work.
As a teacher the core values that resonates with me are teamwork, integrity, honesty and effective communication.