Values: The Impact on Orgazitional Effectiveness
Values: The Impact on Organizational Effectiveness
By Jay Gardner, Chief of Police, Auburn University at Montgomery
As law enforcement leaders, we need to be aware of the influence of values in the work environment. Each person we come in contact with, whether civic leaders, peers, or subordinates, has varying values on any topic, at any moment, on any day. Since people are our most valuable resource, the individual values of these people can be an asset or a liability to you as a leader. The values of a group can weld a group into a cohesive team or cause disharmony, discontent, or even open conflict.
This article explores the concept of values and how they affect you as a leader. Just what is a value? According to Webster's dictionary, values are the standards of desirability by which one chooses between alternate behaviors. They often emerge as opinions, ideas, or feelings about a subject. Dr. Morris Massey states, "Values serve as our world view: What is good or bad, right or wrong, normal or abnormal, for ourselves and others." Where do these values come from?
Values are formed by our association with family, friends, school church, work, etc. According to Dr., Massey, values are formed in three distinct phases. These phases include:
1) Imprinting
2) Intense Modeling and
3) Socialization.
Not all of our values are equally as strong. The stronger our values are, the more reluctant we are to change them; our weaker values are more readily changed based upon newer experiences. These new experiences are often referred to as Significant Emotional Events (SEE). The birth of a child, marriage, divorce, death, or other traumatic events are all examples of SEEs. The bottom line is that our values have varying degrees of strength. Some values we are extremely committed to; others we may be willing to change if shown a different point of view. This is extremely important in understanding why we do the things we do. It also helps us to understand the people who work around us. What we
really need to consider as leaders, is the important role values play in our behavior and the behavior of others.
A leader's effectiveness is, in part, measured by his/her ability to influence the activities of their subordinates. Individual values play an important role in determining how willingly and enthusiastically subordinates carry out the wishes and directives of the leader. Value conflicts can reduce your effectiveness as a leader.
Value conflicts can exist at the organizational or personal level. When we find ourselves in conflict with an organizational value, we often find ourselves unable to sell the vision to our subordinates. If our subordinates are not committed to the vision of the department, then the organization suffers. Possibly more important are the value conflicts that arise between the leader and the subordinate. Think about the problems that you may have experienced when your values collided with one of your subordinates.
When values clash and you are unable to resolve the differences, your effectiveness as a leader decreases. Leaders are more likely to be effective in influencing their subordinates towards the department's vision when they understand and exemplify the organization's values. In order to gain commitment from your subordinates, you must clearly communicate those values to your people. You must also understand and consider your subordinate's values. Understanding subordinate values, needs, and expectations will increase your leadership ability. It helps you by knowing what motivates your subordinates and assists you in interpreting organizational goals. Knowing your subordinates' needs and expectations will also assist you in determining which rewards will be most effective in channeling their motivation towards accomplishing your department's vision.
Your understanding and consideration of organizational values enables you to be more effective in supporting your department's goals. At a minimum, you will be better prepared to objectively deal with problems that can arise. Consideration of subordinate values, needs, and expectations enables you to be more effective in communicating with those around you.