Thought Leadership. Values are Caught not Taught
By Markus Moses of Ndawo Consulting
"Values are the DNA of an organization", states Markus Moses the MD of Ndawo Consulting. It is the genetic material of a human being that defines who that individual is; it illustrates its importance for ones functioning. The same principle applies to values for an organisation's vitality and well-being.
Professor Charles Handy a prominent business guru uses the "three monkey scenario" to exemplify how habits-good and bad- can be passed on; on a subconscious level and create challenges.
Professor Charles Handy explains that if three monkeys were placed in a cage with a bunch of bananas it is instinct for the monkeys to go for the bananas, but if one were to flush the monkeys with water every time they attempted to get the bananas they would no longer repeat that action, therefore becoming conditioned not to take the banana. However if one of the conditioned monkey was replaced but a non-conditioned one that monkey will follow its instinct and go for the bananas not knowing the consequences (water being flushed on its head).Yet the other two will pull the new monkey back so that he can learn their conditioned behaviour. This behavior is repeated even when all 3 of the original monkeys are replaced. The point being that good and bad habits have the ability of being passed on throughout an organisation. These habits are what form the organisation's culture. The values of the organization are that which helps people to classify for themselves which behavior is acceptable in the culture
Values are filters that a person or a group of people hold in order to make sense of their actions. Yet values also have the potential of being interpreted and understood differently. For instance, two people may hold politeness as a value. One person may interpret politeness as being greeted in the morning whereas another person may interpret it as being left alone. Both of these people are sharing the same value each believe that their understanding of the value is correct leading to a pattern of actions which may be conflicting. Both may see the other as rude. One for not greeting, the other for having their space invaded. Each may end up feeling that the other person does not have any respect for their values.
Treat others as you would like to be treated is a renowned idiom and is accepted without thought or question. Yet this may lead to tension and mis-understanding as seen from our example.
The alternative which is to treat others the way that they would like to be treated seems to make more sense, purely because it leaves no room for misinterpretation. However by trying to please everybody all of the time could also entail a challenge and possible conflict.
Values are about living. Life is not meant to be lived superficially. A journey to a values based life and organization requires effort and reflection. Such a journey is well worth the energy investment.
When all of us are better able to live our values with integrity, we would be better able to craft families, societies, organizations and policies with a greater potential for creating a sustainable world.
A simple contribution that we all can make to changing the world is to see ourselves as leaders. And like all great leaders to live our values with integrity and poise. We need to be more clear and explicit on our values and what we meant them within our organizations.
The secret to a successful and happier life is for us as leaders to live committed to the values that we have set. And then on a regular basis reflect on these values that have been set and continue to practice them.
Change always begins with a leader willing "to practice what they preach" and by example illustrating to others how things should be done.
Values are the DNA of any organization and culture. And if these values are practiced with positive intent, they become hereditary and get passed on to future members of our families, societies and organizations. A simple way to a change the world by changing myself.
Markus Moses is the managing director of Ndawo Consulting, a human capital management consulting company which focuses on executive coaching and change management.
| 
