Most Valuable Question of Values
Susan Kuczmarski. Ed.D., social scientist and leadership expert at Kuczmarski Innovation
Having values and clearly knowing what they are day to day and especially in an important moment for you, are two different things. Making those values work in practice for the common good is yet another task and challenge.
There is great benefit awaiting if we think clearly about what is most important to us and why, and then apply the correct principles to our lives.
Susan Kuczmarski, Ed.D.
Social Scientist and Leadership Expert at Kuczmarski Innovation
Authority and speaker on values-based leadership
Regular Guest Lecturer: executive education program
—Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University
Kuczmarski has a Most Valuable Question that she believes in and for which she advocates.
MVQ: “What are my/our personal and professional values?”
The Why: “Bottom line: Shared values and norms are the DNA of a culture and serve as its compass. An effective leader models these core beliefs and behaviors.”
“At the heart of an organization’s culture are its values and norms. How effectively members and leaders nurture and model these core beliefs and behaviors determines the buy-in and adoption of them by others.
“A shared set of values and norms serves to connect employees and management together. The best approach is to have everyone participate in generating and agreeing upon a common set of values.
“They simply can’t be handed down from senior management, no matter how reasonable and fair they might be. Everyone has to be part of the process.
“As values guide the culture, the proof that it is working is found in energized and happy people who create a shared culture that enriches their work lives. The people-focused process begins with a workplace that is meaningful and gratifying.
“Leaders must nurture a highly productive group of individuals who have a genuine sense of their own value, strong relationships with each other and a group identity. They know they are appreciated members of a common community.
“The workplace is propelled by the power and energy of a shared spirit and inspiring culture.
“Simply put, identifying values—personal and professional—takes the following steps:
“Stage I: Individual Values Development
1. List your own personal values.
2. Prioritize your top five values — this is hard; keep them all if you want.
3. Publish a list of each personal values for the group or organization to discuss.
“Stage II: Organization Values Development
1. Review individual values and identify the organization’s top choices.
2. Develop a set of organization-workplace values.
3. Design specific ways to activate and reinforce these values and make them part of your workplace lives.”
