Humanizing Values through Transparency and Effective Leadership

By: Perveen Hadi

Values are what we think about, how we think about it and how we act. It’s this mere definition that reflects our interaction with the world and its inhabitants. So why are implementing values an important step in understanding the mission and vision of a company? Values provide guidance for the seeker. Values guide companies in successfully implementing practical solutions through their products, services and resources. Finally, values provide transparency and effective leadership for companies.

Transparency

Products and services need to be transparent to the client. Clearly understanding and marketing the “why’ aspect of the business is crucial. Why is this important? Why are you doing it? Why should anyone care?

When a company’s “why” is clearly articulated in their mission and vision and performed in day to day activities, it motivates the employer, employees and in turn their growing customer base.

Creating a values list can greatly assist in knowing and communicating a company and founder’s “why”. A values list can also provide guidance on how best to practice the company’s values on a daily basis, both within the company and in its external relationships. It is the transparent communication of values within a company that will lead to greater success in both marketing and communication.

Effective leadership

Great leaders have great values. In today’s economy, the most successful CEO’s have values they live by, both personally and professionally. These are reflected in their mission and vision.

Having concrete values shows dedication to what you really believe is important. When leaders clarify and communicate their values, their companies actively improve the environments and communities they touch and influence.  They allow teams to work for the greater good one value at a time improving morale, dedication, happiness and bonds with the community and customers.

Leaders become models and in turn affect those around them through their services and products, or brands. When leaders understand their value set, they artfully communicate them and market them according to who they are and who they are trying to inspire, i.e their target audience.

It is through communication and our actions in which values are humanized and reflected.

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Perveen Hadi holds an MA in International Education and BA in Communication. She believes that it is through communication and education that we will find what we seek.