How do you talk about your values?
Borrow One Idea: LDRSHIP
Most organizations have a list of values. You can generally find them on the company’s website, which means they must be important.
Can you recite your organization’s values? Or a personal set of values?
When it comes to listing an organization’s values, my bias it that simpler is better. First, for clarity. Second, for creating a kick-ass acronym.
Not simple: including things like ‘Client Value Creation’ and ‘One Global Network’. These are fine values, poorly expressed. They also lead to nonsensical acronyms like CORBIS.
Not the greatest, not the worst.
Simple, effective, and awesome? The Army Values.
The Army recognizes seven values that all Soldiers and DA Civilians must internalize. Embracing the Army Values is the hallmark of being an Army professional. Doing so represents a pact with teammates and the American people to be trustworthy and accountable. When read in sequence, the first letters of the Army Values form the acronym LDRSHIP:
Loyalty.
Duty.
Respect.
Selfless service.
Honor.
Integrity.
Personal courage.
ADP 6-22, 2-2, PDF page 42
This is an excellent list of values and an equally superb acronym.
They are both individual and collective values. They are applicable to anyone, in all situations.
Only stating values is meaningless; shared and lived values are what matters. But do not disregard the importance of also making the statement. People need to know what our values are. This is what makes us trustworthy and accountable.
If you do not have a personal list of core values, try LDRSHIP for a bit. The US Army’s underlying definitions for each are in this week’s reading, but feel free to frame them in whatever way resonates with you.
This week, borrow with pride and develop, adopt, or reaffirm a set of personal values. Where do your values come from? How do they inform your actions and thinking? Do others know what they are - explicitly? How do others know what makes you trustworthy and accountable? How do you talk about your values?
Get Familiar With: Leaders of Character
Our character is as visible as our clothes and influences everything we do as leaders.
2-1. A person’s character affects how they lead. A leader’s character consists of their true nature guided by their conscience, which affects their moral attitudes and actions. A leader’s personal reputation is what others view as character. Leaders who firmly adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and unit standards build credibility with their subordinates and enhance trust of the Nation they serve.
2-2. Influences such as background, beliefs, education, and experiences affect all Soldiers and DA Civilians. An Army leader’s role in developing others’ character would be simple if it merely required checking and aligning personal values with the Army Values. Reality is much different. Becoming and remaining a leader of character is a process involving day-to-day experiences and internal fortitude. While education, self- development, counseling, coaching, and mentoring can refine the outward signs of character, modifying deeply held values is the only way to change character. Leaders are responsible for their own character and for encouraging, supporting, and assessing their subordinates’ efforts to embody character.
ADP 6-22, 2-1 through 2-2, PDF page 41
The US Army, in ADP 6-22, focuses on three critical leader attributes: character, presence, and intellect. Just like last week’s reading, in which the US Army consistently listed ‘military expertise’ lower on the list of professional characteristics than things like ‘Trust’ and ‘Honorable Service’, character (and presence) preceding intellect is not a mistake.
Leaders are responsible for their own character and for influencing the character of those they lead. When we think of our favorite, most respected leaders, the positive reaction is typically anchored to their attitudes and actions, as well as how they made us feel: confident, able, trusted, accountable, inspired, secure.
A leader of character understands their place in the world and helps others feel confident in theirs.
How do you talk about your values? What is a leader’s obligation to developing the character of others? What does it mean to be a leader of character? Would those from different parts of your life describe your character similarly?
The Guided Discovery for this week will examine the US Army’s critical leader attribute of character, how character and values are defined, and the behaviors that engender or erode trust and accountability in leaders and teams.
Learn More: Suggested Reading
ADP 6-22, Army Leadership and the Profession
Pages 2-1 through 2-12 based on printed document (PDF pages 41-52)
Examination of the values and character of a leader
These materials will be the focus of Thursday’s Guided Discovery
Catch Up: Last Week’s Content
Study: Just Following Orders
Guided Discovery: The Profession and the Ethic
Always be asking:
1. What is the connection with my leadership development?
2. How does this change my thinking on management?
3. How does this influence planning for life?
4. What can I borrow with pride to use this week?