ValuesBased Leadership The Executive Compass The Executives Compass
Values-Based Leadership: The Executive Compass
The Executive’s Compass: Business and the Good Society (1993) James O’Toole
Some Current Community Issues U. S. and Global Community • Terrorism / Security (Wiretapping Authorization) • Global Warming WHAT REMAINS CONSTANT IS THE NEED FOR LEADERSHIP IN THE MIDST OF CHANGE!
The O’Toole Compass Liberty Community Efficiency Equality
Liberty Community versus Equality Efficiency
The Perfect Society? ?
Liberty Community The Good Society! Efficiency Equality
Leading Out of Conflict to Change (Political) How do you get to the “good society? ” • “…the fundamental task of every legitimate government is to secure the good society for [all] its citizenry. ” • “Objectively, none of the values … can be demonstrated to be better than the others. ” • “Reconciling tensions between these values is a matter of political process. ” • “… governments who perform the process of to the greatest satisfaction of their citizens are to be preferred…” • “We call …societies just because they respond evenhandedly to the conflicting needs and desires of their citizens. ” • DEMOCRACY AND DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP!
Leading Out of Conflict to Change (Organizational) How do you get to the good organization or team? • “…the fundamental task of every legitimate [organization] is to secure the good society for its [stakeholders]. ” • “Objectively, none of the values … can be demonstrated to be better than the others. ” • “Reconciling tensions between these values is a matter of [values-based leadership]. ” • “… [organizations and leaders] who perform the process of to the greatest satisfaction of their [stakeholders] are to be preferred…” • “We call … [organizations] just because they respond evenhandedly to the conflicting needs and desires of their [stakeholders]. ” • VALUES-BASED LEADERSHIP?
Social Contract, Social Capital and Democratic, Values-Based Leadership • Acceptable conditions for decision making: – Fair – Transparent – Respectful – Voice • Build social capital • “… the ability to find solutions to problems that simultaneously expand the realms of liberty, equality, efficiency, and community should be the essential component of any true definition of democratic leadership. ” • DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP AND VALUES-BASED LEADERSHIP MOVES FROM CONFLICT TO CHANGE BY ADHERING TO THESE FUNDAMENTAL VALUES!
Drucker on Leadership “Management is about doing things right. . . Leadership is about doing the right things. ” What are the right things? How does one determine the right things?
The Three Traditional Leadership Alternatives “Traditionally, three generic answers have been given. . . to the problem of leadership. A leader can command, manipulate, or paternalize. ” James O’Toole Do they work? Long-term? Are they consistent with required values, even when effective? Fair, open, voice, respect?
Values-Based Leadership (An alternative) • What is the philosophy and attitude of a values-based leader?
Leadership Is about Enabling Change. . . starting with yourself Effective change begins when leaders effectively begin to change themselves. Rather than blaming others! Or finding excuses in resources or other external conditions!
Where does the valuesbased leader begin? By starting with those closest to him/her and. . . By getting their attention through asking questions! By discerning the true interests of followers and. . . By providing a transcendent vision.
Dissing Your Followers “The ultimate in disrespect of individuals is to attempt to impose one’s will on them without regard for what they want or need, and without consulting them. ”
The Fundamental Point of VBL Those who do not respect and trust their followers cannot lead them!
Treating The Follower as Leader The ultimate respect you can show anyone is by treating them as an essential equal to yourself. “To be an effective leader, no one can remain a solo operator. . . One must become a leader of leaders. ”
Lao-tzu, Chinese philosopher, 600 B. C. A leader is best When people barely know that he exists, Not so good when people obey and acclaim him, Worst when they despise him. “Fail to honor people, They fail to honor you; ” But of a good leader, who talks little, When his work is done, his aim fulfilled They will all say, “We did this ourselves. ”
Some strategies to practice By starting with those closest to him/her and. . . By getting their attention through asking questions! By discerning the true interests of followers and. . . By providing a transcendent vision.
The Key to VBL “I wouldn’t give a fig for the simplicity this side of complexity, but would give my life for the simplicity the other side of complexity. ” -- Oliver Wendell Holmes
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