Leadership of Compromised Values

Ding dong - traditional leadership is dead!

After an assault of our senses and sensibility by maverick leaders in the early- and late-2000’s, I am less confident and hopeful of traditional contemporary leadership styles. Most of these styles are based on western models; believed to be the way to go in effective leadership. However, the reality may not be the case as leadership evolves or revolves to the next level.

Leadership based on compromised values has left a trail of failed business and the failure of such compromises. The past year has not been assuring with a re-emergence of the greed model. Greed is good may have been the mantra of a Gordon Gecko in a Wall Street obsessed 1980’s. While we await the sequel to Good to Great, which approaches can we adopt and adapt? Great companies are commendable until the leadership implodes, practices get compromised, and the next crisis triggers off wanton panic. Too often, the PR team with its language-splicing spin-doctors magically transforms a mountain into a molehill. How do the staff and shareholders allow it to happen? Passive disagreement, indifference, fear for their job security, and strategic recognition practices serves to silence the critics. What a shame! The blind leads the blind, while the one-eyed is still king.

Consider Asian companies, as well as multinationals based in Asia. How does each leader lead his company? Chin-Ning Chu suggested in her book ‘Thick Face, Black Heart’ approach that you never compromise your values, as you live the life you want. You can be ruthlessly uncompromising in your core values when leading your team and organization.

Do model after successful leaders on a wider scale so as to gain more perspective. Study their values assiduously. Integrate what you think and feel is relevant and useful. We need to review our personal and professional values constantly. Be discerning, decisive and diligent (© Yardley & Kelly, PIPS). Compromise our values and we lose a part of ourselves that may be critical to our personal value and our self-worth. Instead, share your promises with others; be true and truthful with yourself.