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.
Transparency is a crucial core value in our organisation. It enhances trust, and communication, and builds a positive culture. By being open about our processes and decisions, we ensure that all that are involved are informed and engaged. This approach not only strengthens relationships but also promotes accountability and integrity across all levels. Transparency empowers our team to collaborate effectively towards common goals.
One of the fundamental values in my organization is honesty. Dealing with clients honestly without hiding things from them helps resolve issues faster because clients understand the work process and are always informed of discrepancies and delay. This in turn increases the clients trust in the organization
Reflecting on my organizational values, I’ve identified the following:
1. Collaboration: We prioritize teamwork, open communication, and mutual respect.
2. Innovation: We encourage creativity, experimentation, and learning from failures.
3. Customer-centricity: We focus on delivering value and exceptional experiences for our clients.
4. Integrity: We uphold honesty, transparency, and ethical behavior in all interactions.
5. Agility: We embrace adaptability, flexibility, and continuous improvement.
These values influence my project work in the following ways:
– Collaboration: I involve team members in decision-making, actively listen to their ideas, and recognize individual contributions.
– Innovation: I encourage experimentation, calculate risks, and learn from failures to drive creative solutions.
– Customer-centricity: I prioritize client needs, gather feedback, and ensure deliverables meet their expectations.
– Integrity: I maintain transparency, honesty, and ethical standards in all project communications and actions.
– Agility: I adapt to changing project requirements, iterate on feedback, and continuously improve processes.
These values guide my project management approach, ensuring that I:
– Foster a positive team culture
– Drive creative problem-solving
– Deliver client value
– Maintain ethical standards
– Embrace flexibility and growth
By aligning project work with organizational values, I can ensure that our projects not only succeed but also reflect the organization’s mission and principles.
In my current role, organizational values such as integrity, accountability, and transparency are fundamental. These values shape how we approach projects, ensuring decisions are made ethically and transparently. For example, prioritizing integrity means avoiding conflicts of interest and maintaining honest communication with stakeholders. Accountability ensures we are responsible for project outcomes, while transparency fosters trust and clarity. These values drive ethical decision-making and ensure that projects align with our core principles, enhancing both stakeholder confidence and project success.
One of the moral rules in my organization is that as a junior staff, you’re not allowed to disrespect your seniors.
However, one major value I operate with is, integrity, I don’t compromise it for anything,
its the air I breathe.
respect is a core value that I operate with as well
one core value that
One core value that stands out for me is openness this helps when you’re stuck. It affects our approach to work in that you know that you don’t have to be perfect and you can get help when necessary.
Values of diligence and Intergrity in all work to get done are core in some groups that l am in. This has affected our approach to work.
Our core values are
Service: This implies working as if you own the company
Professionalism: Deliver the best outcomes and highest quality of service
Integrity: Be confident in each others capabilities and intentions..this draw the fact that you as a person should have good intentions at all times
Respect: As a person you are expected to embrace and value the skills /contributions of others
Innovation: You are compelled to always improve and win the market at every point in time
Team Spirit: Willingly do what must be done to assist each other and prioritize the team before individual performance.
All of these mentioned is tired around transparency, customer centric actions, collaborations and continuous learning.
Adewale Bisola Mathew PM Boot camp cohort 16.
Value and principle-guided influence my project work can have an positive impact in several ways:
1. *Alignment with organizational goals*: When my project work is guided by the organization’s values and principles, it ensures alignment with the company’s overall mission and objectives.
2. *Ethical decision-making*: Value-guided influence promotes ethical decision-making, which fosters trust and credibility with stakeholders, team members, and clients.
3. *Consistency and reliability*: Principle-guided work ensures consistency and reliability in project delivery, enhancing the organization’s reputation.
4. *Team motivation and engagement*: When projects are guided by values and principles, team members are more likely to be motivated and engaged, leading to higher productivity and job satisfaction.
5. *Long-term focus*: Value and principle-guided influence encourages a long-term perspective, prioritizing sustainable solutions over short-term gains.
6. *Stakeholder trust and loyalty*: By operating with transparency, integrity, and accountability, you build trust and loyalty with stakeholders, fostering strong relationships.
7. *Innovation and creativity*: A values-driven approach encourages innovative and creative solutions, driving growth and improvement.
8. *Risk management*: Principle-guided influence helps identify and mitigate risks, ensuring a more secure project environment.
9. *Collaboration and partnerships*: Shared values and principles facilitate effective collaboration and partnerships, both within and outside the organization.
10. *Personal and professional growth*: Working on value-guided projects enhances your personal and professional growth, as you develop skills and expertise aligned with your values.
By incorporating value and principle-guided influence into your project work, you contribute to a positive and sustainable impact on your organization, stakeholders, and the wider community.