Leading With Values: The Great Leadership style and examples

Beliefs of a Leader : Leadership Beliefs

Values are the things that matter most to a person. They’re the principles that guide our decisions and actions. A values-based leader is someone who uses their own strong values to guide their team or organization.

These values become the leadership beliefs that shape how the leader approaches challenges and interacts with others. For example, a leader who values honesty might believe in always telling the truth, even when it’s difficult.

Leaders Can Predict and Influence!

Great leaders aren’t just reacting to situations. They can predict how their decisions will affect others and the organization. 

They also have the power to influence the values of the people around them.

By consistently demonstrating their own values, a leader can inspire others to adopt those same values. This creates a value-based leadership style that promotes a positive and productive work environment.

For example, a leader who values teamwork might create opportunities for their team to collaborate on projects. 

This would not only encourage teamwork but also show the leader truly believes in its importance.

Behaviors of high-trust leaders

High-trust leaders understand that trust is essential for a successful team. 

They earn trust by consistently demonstrating their own core values. Here are some of the 4 behaviors of high-trust leaders:

• Honesty: They are truthful and transparent in their communication.
• Promises Made, Promises Kept: They follow through on their commitments.
• Admitting Mistakes: They are willing to own up to their errors.
• Fairness: They treat everyone with respect and impartiality.

By embodying these behaviors, a leader fosters an environment where team members feel comfortable taking risks, sharing ideas, and working together to achieve goals.

9 important characteristics a president as a leader should possess: Qualities of a Great Leader

So, what makes a good leader great? Here are 9 important characteristics many presidents and other prominent leaders share:

• Integrity: They have strong moral principles and act accordingly.
• Communication Skills: They can clearly and effectively convey their vision and ideas.
• Decision-Making Skills: They can weigh options and make sound choices.
• Problem-Solving Skills: They can find creative solutions to challenges.
• Delegation Skills: They can trust others to complete tasks.
• Empathy: They can understand the perspectives of others.
• Motivation: They can inspire others to achieve their best.
• Resilience: They can bounce back from setbacks.
• Vision: They can set clear goals for the future.

10 famous leaders and their leadership styles: Learning From the Best Famous Leaders and Their Styles

Throughout history, many famous leaders have used different leadership styles to achieve great things. Some leaders are more directive, giving clear instructions and expecting them to be followed. Others are more participative, encouraging input from their team before making decisions.

Here are 10 famous leaders and their leadership styles:

Martin Luther King Jr. (transformational): Inspired social change through powerful speeches and nonviolent protests.

Winston Churchill (directive): Led Great Britain through World War II with unwavering determination.

Mother Teresa (servant): Dedicated her life to serving the poor and sick.

Indira Gandhi (transformational): Empowered women and championed the rights of the underprivileged.

Abraham Lincoln (Transformational): Known for his unwavering belief in equality and his ability to unite a divided nation during the American Civil War. He used powerful speeches and political maneuvering to keep the Union together and ultimately abolish slavery.

Emiliano Zapata (Servant): A revolutionary leader during the Mexican Revolution, Zapata fought for land reform and social justice for Mexico’s poor farmers. He led by example, living alongside the people he fought for and prioritizing their needs.

Malala Yousafzai (Servant/Transformational): A young Pakistani activist who advocated for girls’ education. She faced threats and violence for her beliefs but continued to speak out, inspiring a global movement for girls’ rights. Her leadership combines elements of servant leadership by putting the needs of others first and transformational leadership by inspiring change through her courage and passion.

Nelson Mandela (Servant/Participative): While Mandela is already mentioned for his participative style, it’s worth nohting his strong element of servant leadership. He dedicated his life to serving his people and fostering reconciliation after decades of apartheid. He actively sought out diverse perspectives and built a government that reflected the needs of all South Africans.

Steve Jobs (Visionary/Transformational): Co-founder of Apple, Jobs was known for his visionary leadership and ability to inspire innovation. He had a clear vision for the future of technology and wasn’t afraid to take risks to achieve it. His strong personality and demanding nature could be seen as directive, but his ultimate goal was to transform the way people interacted with technology.

Dwight D. Eisenhower (Delegative): The 34th president of the United States, Eisenhower was known for his delegative leadership style. He trusted his advisors and cabinet members to handle their areas of expertise, allowing him to focus on big-picture decisions and maintaining relationships with foreign allies. This approach was particularly effective during World War II, where Eisenhower successfully led a coalition of Allied forces to victory

The Power of Values: Shaping Behavior

Leaders have a powerful influence on the values of those around them. One way to positively influence values is by setting a good example. 

When a leader consistently demonstrates their core values, it sends a message to others that these values are important.

For example, if a leader values environmental responsibility, they might make eco-friendly choices in the workplace. This could inspire others to adopt more sustainable practices in their own lives.

Making the Right Choices: Avoiding Leadership Pitfalls

Leading with values doesn’t mean always having the easy answer. There will be times when a tough decision needs to be made.

Here’s one strategy to avoid fostering bad leadership:

• Never make decisions without regard to personal consequences. Great leaders consider not just the outcome but also how their choices might reflect on their values and character.

Here are some additional tips for fostering good leadership:

• Be open to feedback. A true leader is always willing to learn and grow.
• Celebrate the success of others. Sharing the spotlight shows you value teamwork and appreciate contributions.
• Lead by example. Your actions speak louder than words. Be the embodiment of the values you want to see in others.

Test your leadership knowledge! Can you identify the correct statement regarding leadership?

• Do you think Leaders are born, not made?

No, Leadership skills can be learned and developed over time.Here’s why:

Experience is a great teacher: Leaders often gain valuable skills through experience. Facing challenges, making decisions, and working with different personalities all contribute to honing leadership abilities.

Learning opportunities abound: There are countless resources available to help people develop their leadership skills. Books, workshops, mentorships, and even online courses can provide valuable insights and strategies.

Practice makes perfect: Just like any skill, leadership improves with practice. 

The more you take on leadership roles, the more comfortable and confident you’ll become.

While some people might have natural charisma or decisiveness, these qualities alone don’t make a great leader. 

Effective leadership requires a combination of skills, knowledge, and experience that can all be learned and nurtured.

• Do you think A good leader should be liked by everyone?

No, Effective leadership is about making sound decisions, not about popularity contests.

Finding Your Core : Essential Qualities

So, you want to be a leader? Great! The first step is to identify your own core values. What are the things that matter most to you?

Once you know your values, you can start to live by them and inspire others to do the same.

Conclusion

By studying the leadership styles of successful figures, we can gain valuable insights into how to be effective leaders ourselves. Remember:  leadership isn’t about a title or position. It’s about having the character and skills to inspire and guide others

By understanding the importance of values and how they influence leadership style, you can become a more effective leader and inspire those around you. 

Leadership is a journey of continuous learning and growth. So keep striving to be the best leader you can be.