Instinctively, leaders know what they stand for in life. Even without recognizing they are doing so, leaders base decisions on their values all of the time. But there is a marked difference between knowing your values and becoming a value-driven leader. In our experience, all the best leaders are value-driven in everything they do.
Value-driven leaders identify their core two-to-three values and put them in play for nearly every decision they make. This consistency allows leaders to shine brightly with others. Team members develop a strong sense of the kinds of approaches and choices the leader might take on any issue.
When leaders map their core values on top of any situation, they achieve an instant clarity of what really matters and how they should evaluate information surrounding an issue or problem. Better yet, leaders who live with their values front and center are more committed and confident in their decision-making. They know implicitly that decisions based upon values can never be entirely wrong. Spending the time to turn your values into everyday companions is essential in becoming a great leader. Our values matter even more when we use them.
