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 specialist Health provider organization, some of the values are:1.courteous and qualitative Patients-centered in a multi disciplinary team approach with effective communication.
2.Good inter relationships among all stakeholders.
3.Human capacity development,
4.Accountability and optimal use of resources.By upholding these values and ethics,Our organization has been able to build and earn the trust of stakeholders,patients, staffs and relatives, we have also been able to promote positive outcomes and contribute to the well-being of individuals within and outside state
For us as a logistics service provided values like time management, clients preference, communication, tranperancy and follow up stand out as our core values in doing business.
Some major values guiding the rope of a project manager includes communication, transparency, team spirit, empathy etc. These values, when put in place will bring about excellent relationships among all the stakeholders in a project this leading to a positive outcome.
As Health Services organization, some of the values are: Team work, compassion and empathy, Integrity and Transparency,Quality and Excellence, Respect for diversity,,Confidentiality and Privacy.
By upholding these values and ethics, the organization can build trust, promote positive outcomes and contribute to the well-being of individuals and communities.
In the event planning industry one of the unwritten values is transparency especially with your client or stakeholder or sponsor. Be honest and truthful about everything.
In the Energy sector where i work one of the rules is; To keep each other safe. Which encompasses Safety compliance.
I work with a real estate company who’s value that guides our mode of operation is A.R.I.S.E. And this values has helped me to be accountable both to businesses and clients and has created a sense of responsibility, integrity, service and excellence for the years I have worked there and has also become a part of my life.
Where I work, the set of values guiding work ethics include – honesty, dedication, diligence as well as a high level of transparency. This has helped me grow over the years and has formed a great part of my attitude towards work.
There are different values in my organization.
Transparency
Teamwork
Communication
Consistency
These values have helped my life not just as a member of an organization, but as an individual in my day to day activities.
As the study of project management has gone so far, it has been taught that the values I mentioned above are all values a great project manager should have embedded in him/her to be able to successfully carry out projects. So these values that I’ve already been working on in my organization would come in handy when I have a project that I need to manage.
Here are a list of outstanding values in our organization
Teamwork
Accountability
Commitment
Sisterhood
Relationship
Communication
Tolerance
These values have also shaped my personal life.