Leaders today are faced with many questions. When making decisions, advisors often ask, “what is the right thing to do?” Those asking this question are typically seeking logic and statistics to help make the decision, as if there is a one size fits all answer. While data is great for giving insight into how different decisions might play out, in most situations that will not actually tell you what the right decision is for you or your team.
To make the right decisions, you must start out knowing your purpose and values. In short, you must know your identity as a leader and organization. Decisions that are not in keeping with what you believe often produce negative results. For example, if you believe that we should demonstrate respect for diverse views, and everyone should give input to decision making, then our actions should reflect this belief. To be successful, leaders must consider how the decisions they make will align with and impact their stated values and beliefs.
When we make decisions that are not in keeping with our purpose, it causes others to question our integrity and whether we really hold the values we talk about. When there is a discrepancy between what you say and what you do, most people will choose to believe what you do. Values must be defining considerations for leaders and should be non-negotiable no matter how much pressure we face.
As leaders, our identity goes beyond our titles, and instead is about leading with integrity and purpose. Everything leaders do should draw them closer to achieving their purpose, align with their values, and uphold their culture. You can tell a lot about who a leader is by what behavior they allow to occur within their team or organization, and the basis on which they give promotions or other rewards. All of these are signals as to the real priorities and beliefs of a leader.
Even the way leaders spend their time will communicate volumes on their core values. Evaluating where you spend the greatest amount of time will tell you and others what is significant and a priority for you. To lead well, evaluate whether your decisions, your communication, and your priorities are aligned with your beliefs!
