Values-based leadership is a style of leadership in which the core belief and values of the leader and the team keep them bonded and motivated. A values-based leader encourages transparency, innovation, support, and balance. It is this bond and encouragement that helps every member of the team and the organisation achieve spectacular results.
“Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader; they set out to make a difference. It’s never about the role, always about the goal” – Lisa Haisha
Every great leader is driven by a passion to make the world a better place. This passion is a product of values and vision. The need to change the lives of those around them, of the people of one’s country, of society, drives leaders to work tirelessly. This is what makes them inspirational and helps them motivate and inspire teams to work towards a common goal.
What is values-based leadership?
Values-based leadership brings and binds together teams in the pursuit of excellence. When a leader finds purpose in core values, the ethical philosophy, the morals, the ideals that hold dear to them, it translates into passion. This style of leadership inspires others to be change-makers. Bound by values, both personal and organisational, teams now look at making life better for all stakeholders. A commitment to values keeps the leader, and the team bound. The leader is successful in motivating the group to achieve their goals because of these shared aspirations. A study of some of the most famous financial leaders across the globe reveals how values-based leadership can be a great strength and helps achieve tremendous results.
How does values-based leadership help your organisation?
Values-based leadership plays a major role in bringing out the best in employees at all levels. Thought leaders in India such as Anand Mahindra, and Sanjiv Bajaj who display this style of leadership encourage others to work for the greater good, and this makes them more passionate about their work.
A values-based leader plays an important role in setting the workplace’s tone and creating a supportive environment where all stakeholders remain bound by their personal and shared values. Employees in such an organisation are encouraged to express themselves, their values and goals, and shared beliefs. An organisation with such a leader at the helm is relatively free of conflict and power tussles, miscommunication. The shared values guide every department, role,goal, and mission of an organisation.
What to look for in values-driven leaders?
- Authenticity
Values-driven leaders are authentic, honest, and highly reliable. They are consistent in their actions and encourage clear and transparent communication. This makes the feedback mechanism easy as well.
- Humility
Values-driven leaders make their self-awareness and humility their strength. This allows them to invite participation and innovation across different levels of the organisation, making for greater ownership when it comes to processes and roles.
- Balance
Values-driven leader brings great balance to the work environment. The leader motivates, creates a robust work ethic, and brings in a cohesive approach which is inspiring.
- Confidence
A firm belief in one’s core values, and ideals make a values-driven leader very self-confident. This confidence allows him/her to find direction both in good times and setbacks.
Benefits of values-based leadership
Most organisations understand the role of a good leader in the motivation of the team and the enhancement of performance and results. More and more people now recognise that only values-based leadership can add authenticity, ethics, principles, and true bonding to the organisation. This also boosts the organisation’s brand identity, making it relatable for both customers and investors.
A team that shares the same set of values and core beliefs acts as a self-motivating unit. Each employee can rely on the team’s support, thereby contributing their best to share in the success. This certainly makes for stronger relationships and a more comfortable environment.
The impetus to achieve the values–based and financial goals is exceptionally high when the organisation is led by a values-based leader. Some of the top fintech leaders of our times say for instance Sanjiv Bajaj, the leader of Bajaj Finserv, have demonstrated this.
Values-based leadership may not bring with it a great deal of glitz and glamour. Still,when it comes to supporting organisational strength and offering the right encouragement to achieve organisational and personal goals, it seems to be working. This is a corporate culture that brings out the best in everyone involved.
