Inspiring Leadership - Virtues in the Workplace
"My definition of leadership is communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they are inspired to see it in themselves."
Stephen Covey
"These times require exceptional leadership...leaders who respect and value people as human beings, trusted leaders that walk the talk and do so with conviction and integrity."
William J. Pesce President & CEO, John Wiley & Sons
Ethics and virtues have risen to the forefront of our awareness, as giants of industry and government fall to their knees for violating the public trust. There is a vital need to inspire commitment to a code of ethics, rather than merely require compliance. How do we ignite and sustain a spirit of genuine integrity in the workplace?
In a world that idolizes celebrity and material wealth, often at the cost of personal integrity and happiness, there is a growing movement to return to simpler ideals. Many of our best and brightest graduates choose opportunities to make a difference over the option to command the highest entry level pay in history. In 2005, 12% of Yale graduates and 120 Harvard seniors chose to work with non-profits such as "Teach for America" to serve inner city children. Enrollment in the Peace Corps is up by 80%. Businesses that value social responsibility, transparency and respect for the environment are far more likely to attract and keep the new idealists.
Virtues such as honesty, excellence, compassion, fairness and service are the elements of character. They are at the heart of every mission statement. The Virtues Project offers simple strategies that integrate character into corporate culture, and tap our natural desire to do weel by doing good." Linda Kavelin Popov, Co-Founder, The Virtues Project
This workshop (custom tailored to your organization) will help you:
* Explore the difference between ethics, values and virtues.
* Learn ways to bring the values of your people into synch with your corporate values.
* Leverage your ability to motivate your people to be ethical.
* Discover ways to attract and retain good employees and build their loyalty.
* Discover ways to respond to an ethics violation in your organization.
The Virtues strategies can be applied as an assessment tool to take the ethical temperature of an organization and build team unity.
Strategy 1: Speak the Language of Virtues
What are the Strength Virtues of our organization that support our successes? What are the Growth Virtues we need to develop to be more in alignment with our ethics and mission? What virtues do we want to have more of from each other?
Strategy 2: Recognize Teachable Moments
What is the Teachable Moment facing our organization now? Without shame, blame or naming names, what virtues do we need to call on to move forward in alignment with our vision?
Strategy 3: Set Clear Boundaries
How clear are our guidlines and expectations for employees? What justice and human rights issues need to be addressed? What corporate boundaries need to be clearer? How well do our personal boundaries protect our time, energy and health?
Strategy 4: Honor the Spirit
Do all of our stakeholders feel treated with dignity. How committed are our people to our standards of service and courtesy? How successfully are we imbedding our values into our environment using virtues language, arts, ceremony, and routines?
Strategy 5: Offer Companioning
How well do we listen to one another? How effectively have we created a climate of trust? How often do we take the time to ask the right questions? What issues in our organization need to be heard?
