What does it really mean to lead with your values?

"Lead with your values on your sleeve, not your emotions"

This is something I am rather fond of saying to my coaching clients (brilliant senior communications professionals, struggling with getting out of their own way).

And it's a distinction that can transform your leadership, particularly in the high-stakes world of corporate communications, where staying grounded in your principles is essential.

It was somewhat of a lightbulb moment when I came to this realisation years ago, after being told time and time again, that my emotions were getting in the way of my leadership impact.

Instead, I learned to lean into my core values (which include honesty, transparency, autonomy and more) and use these to guide my decision making and my response when things got challenging, or I was drawn into a fraught or difficult conversation or decision.

I didn't become a robot. I was still human. But my values rose to the top, instead of my emotions. And that not only made me a better leader, it also helped me feel happier and more at one with who I was - at work and at home.

If you're reading this as an aspiring or new Communications leader, I’m sharing these insights because I’ve been there and I want to share my learning with you. Here’s how you can embed your values into your leadership approach, even in the toughest situations.”

And it's not easy. But it's so worth it.

Your values aren't just a moral compass - they are a leadership asset

As a former Director of Corporate Communications turned leadership coach, I’ve had my share of lessons on the importance of leading with values.

I know what it feels like to navigate the pressure to deliver results, sometimes at the expense of staying true to what I believed was right. There were moments when I found myself caught between my own principles and the priorities of senior executives, and I didn’t always get it right. But every time I compromised, even a little, it became painfully clear that the short-term gains were never worth the long-term cost.

It took time and experience to realize that my values weren't just a personal compass but a strategic asset. Now, as a leadership coach, I’m passionate about this lesson:

Leading with your values isn’t just a “nice to have” - it’s essential for your credibility, your career, and your role in shaping your organisation’s culture.

Leading with integrity: it’s more than a check box exercise

From my years in the corporate world, I know that leading with integrity is not just about checking the box on ethical behaviour; it’s about consciously aligning every decision with your core values, even when (especially when!) the stakes are high.

It means speaking up when the path forward isn’t clear, or when the pressure to stay silent is overwhelming. At times in my corporate comms career, I felt like the lone voice questioning the potential ethical implications of a communications strategy, and I’ll admit, it was uncomfortable. But I’ve also felt the power that comes from standing firm in what I knew was right. The confidence I gained from those moments wasn’t just for show - it was earned through hard choices.

Leading with integrity isn't always the easiest path, especially when you’re operating in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment where business results can overshadow ethical considerations.

But when you hold true to your principles, you’ll find that you’re not just preserving your own credibility - you’re setting a standard that influences others around you.

"What's it like to be led by you?" is a question you should ask yourself often.

And be ready to sit with the answers and ask yourself honestly if you are behaving - and leading - in a way that really reflects your values. Coaching can really help with this if you need support here.

Here’s what I know now: standing firm in your values pays off in ways you might not expect.

When I began consistently aligning my decisions with my values, I noticed a shift in how I was perceived - not just as a Communications leader but as a trusted advisor. My influence grew because others knew I wasn’t afraid to speak the truth, even when it wasn’t easy. That didn't mean I was completely rigid in my thinking - far from it - but that I would always bring an authentic, values-driven perspective to the table.

Three ways to integrate your values into your leadership:

• Use values as a decision-making filter: Before making key decisions, ask, ‘Does this align with my core values?’
• Establish values-driven communication norms: Set expectations with your team about how your values inform your communication style, especially during difficult conversations.
• Reflect regularly: Take time each month to assess how well you’ve embodied your values in your leadership and adjust where necessary.

Advice to my younger self

If I could go back, I would tell my younger self that compromise isn’t the price of career advancement. In fact, the opposite is true. When you lead with your values, you gain more than professional respect - you gain personal fulfillment and a legacy of integrity. It took time for me to fully internalise this, but now, as a leadership coach, I’m passionate about helping others learn this lesson without the detours I took.

To those navigating similar challenges, my advice is this: don’t wait for hindsight to make it clear that your values are your greatest asset. Lead with them now, and watch how your impact deepens and your communications leadership flourishes.

What strategies have helped you stay true to your values, even when the pressure to compromise was high?

Share your experiences below, I’d love to hear how others have navigated similar challenges.

#CommsLeadership #IntegrityInAction #ValuesDrivenLeadership #CareerLessons