Values-Based Leadership: Developing and Using Core Leadership Values

Abstract

As healthcare organizations continue to evolve, their administrators, leaders, and managers will find themselves tackling new and unprecedented ethical dilemmas. A values-based approach to leadership can help guide them through these uncharted waters. It can also foster shared values among employees that will guide their behaviors and help them to make the best decisions possible. This article defines what it means to be a values-based leader and describes the benefits and challenges of this relatively young style of leadership. It describes how healthcare leaders can identify and articulate their organizations’ values and offers them three hands-on exercises to involve employees in the process. This article then provides how-to suggestions for writing an effective core values statement and explores ways that leaders can introduce and implement values-based leadership. Finally, this article provides examples of seven inspiring core values statements from healthcare organizations.