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.
Working as a team lead one of my core value is proper communication, honesty, integrity and Empathy
Working with a team in an academic institution,the essential values are integrity, respect, responsibility, discovery,excellency and consistency.
The organization value i have experienced in my team are but not limited to:
Time Management: We are time cautious in terms of early arrival to site and early delivery of the project to clients satisfaction.
Communication: This play a significant role in my team towards achieving project goals. However, it is a known fact that we sometimes have a bad day whilst on-site this is where the team lead plays a great morale value by words of encouragement. This helps in overcoming emotional downcast.
Providing a world class treatment to our patients.
This starts from the front desk,down to seeing Doctor for consultations,schedule for surgeries if necessary,picking up drugs and follow ups if necessary.
In group I belong our values are, love, peace, oneness and inclusiveness. These values informs our actions and the way we relate with others within and outside the group.
In my organization we strive for excellence as a teaching and learning environment. Moral uprightness is our watchword. As a teaching and learning environment we don’t compromise on quality and we give our best whenever we deliver our lessons. The students are taught to respect each other so we don’t have an out break of violence.
The system of ethics, values, and morals is important in our day-to-day activities as individuals and is also for an organization. Values and ethics are a system of checks and balances to an individual or organization’s line of decision or action, so an organization without it is heading for a serious downfall.
In my reflection about an NGO I have worked with, the system of value there is honesty, accountability, and time management and I realized that gave us a sense of direction on each project we set out to do.
The system of ethics also saves an organization from violating any law, policy, or general regulatory framework.
Thus, as a project manager, it is expedient to have and work with a system of ethics and values specific to the project at hand.
Thank You.
Mary Ayo
Excellence
integrity
Innovation
Teamwork
Dependability
In my organization, our values are;
Passion for Excellence- We strive to be the best in everything we do
Team work- Team work makes the dream work. We try not to work in isolation.
Integrity- Integrity is our watch word. We try as much to be transparent in our dealings with our clients and other stake holders.
Growing our people- My organization believes that its employees are its greatest asset so there is a need for investing in their development through trainings and encouraging the need for personal development.
Collaboration- We understand the importance of working together as a team to achieve our set objectives
Currently, I’m a student in the university. The moral values mostly emphasized is diligence, transparency, excellence and service. These values has affected my approach to study and how I interact with my peers. I put in the work. I sit for exams without relying on malpractice. I learned to serve others with the way I live.