Leadership Behaviors that Support Shared Values

Modeling the way is how to set the example through behavior that supports and is consistent with shared values. Setting the example or modeling the way is all about leaders doing what they say will do. Leaders must therefore execute the following principles that underlie the strategies in Commitment #7: "Set the Example by Behaving in Ways That are Consistent with Shared Values" (Kouzes & Posner, 1995, p. 232):

1. Clarify personal values and beliefs and those of others;
2. Unify constituents around shared values;
3. Pay attention constantly to how self and others living the values. There is a simple and time-honored religious principle that applies to this discussion: “We’d rather see a sermon than hear one, any day.”
   

Clearly, a leader must provide an example that matches what they are promoting. Kouzes and Posner (1995) provide the following guidance on aligning the messenger with the message:

• A. "Take a look in the mirror" (p. 232) – spend some time reflecting on who you are and what your values are in order to become more self-aware.
• B. "Write your leadership credo" (p. 233) – translate your personal values into a personal leadership credo that describes how you wish your team to proceed in your extended absence.
• C. "Write a personal tribute and a tribute to your organization" (p. 234) – draft an ideal, lofty vision of yourself and then of your organization.
• D. "Open a dialogues about personal and shared values" (p. 235) – ask your team and other important players in your organization to craft credo paragraphs and then share them, melding them into one common understanding. Go first.
• E. "Audit your actions" (p. 236) – contrast what you preach with what you do on a daily basis.
• F. "Trade places" (p. 237) – spend some time doing other jobs in the organization, especially those of your constituents, to gain a perspective of how others view your position and how you might view their positions.
• G. "Be dramatic" (p. 238) – dramatizing events is a great way of driving home points and making them memorable.
• H. "Tell stories about teachable moments" (p. 239) – look for teachable moments and then tell them as parables to instruct various constituencies; these stories will become part of the organization’s oral history.
  

Reference

Kouzes, J.M., & Posner, B.Z. (1995). The leadership challenge (2nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.