Leadership in Action: Issues and Observations - The Gap Between Personal and Organizational Values

Communicate and Listen

Many people may be unaware of their organization's values—perhaps one reason why they're surprised at discrepancies. Thus, leaders need to use every avenue available to them to clearly and explicitly communicate these values. Opportunities for making them known include executive meetings, company announcements, e-mail messages, public forums, and even chance encounters while walking through the halls.

Leaders should also listen carefully to what staff members are saying about their own personal values. On a formal basis, leaders should regularly conduct climate surveys to determine the issues that are important to individuals in their organizations. On an informal basis, they should keep their ears to the ground in an effort ...