Consistency of Leadership Values

One of the most important aspects of being a great leader – and by that, I mean one who is able to inspire, direct and convince other people to follow – is to be consistent in the values represented.

I would go so far as to say that this is a fundamental base plate of leadership.

What’s the phrase? ‘If you don’t stand for anything, you fall for everything’. Well, I would add to this, ‘If you’re constantly changing what you stand for then you will fall for everything’.

Whenever I am dealing with a professional in a leadership position who is having trouble guiding their team, missing their targets etc. etc. the first question I ask them is what they stand for. What are their values? How do these values become apparent to their team members? And finally, I ask them how consistent they are in demonstrating an adherence to those values?

It is very common to hear my clients talk a great talk when listing their values. It is also very common to hear how those values get conveniently forgotten about, chucked out the window or swept under the carpet when tough times arrive, when difficult conversations have to be had and emotional challenges arise.

We’ve all sat in those types of corporate meetings where highfalutin, deeply worthy values are preached from the modern-day pulpit – a zoom call most likely! – and then see the same leaders behave in a completely contradictory manner. For instance, many leaders talk about how important their staff members are to the success of the business, but the minute profits come under stress, those same ‘valuable assets’ are made redundant at the drop of a convenient hat. Or leaders who talk about the importance of turning up and doing your absolute best at work, whilst they also fail to root out the ‘rotten’ apple employee who everyone knows is not pulling their weight but somehow always seems to get away with it and never gets fired (or even demoted).

Why is consistency so important? Well for one, it allows people to trust in who and what you are. You can go a long way once you have worked out what values you stand for and fervently stuck to them. I would of course encourage you to live by values that stretch you to be the highest version of yourself (rather than the lowest), but even leaders who have suspect, dingy values, can be seen to succeed over those who are constantly swapping and changing and being inconsistent. It is because people feel safer knowing where they stand and what they can expect. It’s why brands like McDonalds have worked so well – you always know what to expect from them.

And on the flip side, think of any politician, past or present who seems to change their ideology and policies based upon the prevailing ‘opinion’ poll – how much honest respect do you have for that kind of ‘leader’?

Figure out what you stand for, and why.

Then set about demonstrating this at each and every opportunity you get, the easy times and most especially, the difficult times when you might be tempted to travel an easier route. Your reward for having the courage of your convictions will be respect and trust from the people around you. That’s priceless.

See also

Manage Your Staff More Effectively https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/manage-your-staff-more-effectively-gina-gardiner

Chariots On Fire https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/chariots-fire-gina-gardiner-profits-enhancer-for-enlightened-leaders

Thriving Not Surviving https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/thriving-surviving-profits-enhancer-for-enlightened-leaders