To many professionals, having people report to them is the definition of being a leader. In fact, once they have a team, they think they can check the box on leadership. However, leadership is not a destination. Rather, it is a journey of continuous reflection and improvement that lasts a lifetime. The goal is to pursue not only success, but most importantly significance—as measured in the difference you make to others.
Now, heading into 2025, here are five resolutions that will help you on your journey to becoming a values-based leader.
No. 1: Recognize Your Role Models On The Values-Based Path
Before moving forward into a new year, reflect on what has brought you to this step along your path of personal and professional development. I think of it this way: leadership is the ability to influence others. Values-based leadership takes it to the next level with ability to relate to each person, seeking to inspire and motivate them to pursue what matters most.
For example, in looking back on my life, I gain deeper appreciation of my grandparents, parents, and other family members who were my first role models. Among my earliest influences was my uncle, Father Francis, who was a priest in Scranton, Pennsylvania. One Friday night, when I was a young teenager, I told my uncle I was thinking about becoming a priest. At first, he was ecstatic. Then I told him my reasoning: I had heard in church about the shortage of clergy, and if any of my friends became priests that would be a big problem. “If someone is going to pull the short straw here, it might as well be me,” I told him.
Clearly my calling was in a different direction. My uncle assured me: “If you live your life the right way, you can have an enormous impact on others. If you end up going into business or teaching, you could influence so many people.” He gave me a sense of mission and purpose that made my career in finance and leadership far more than profit-and-loss statements. Leadership has been my way of living my values and doing my best to make a positive difference in the world—and so it can be for you.
Resolve to reflect on your role models and how they have influenced you, as you identify your values and strive to put them into action.
No. 2: Engage In Daily Self-Reflection To Guide Your Values-Based Life
The journey of living a values-based life and becoming a values-based leader begins with regular self-reflection. This practice is so important that I consider it to be the foundation of values-based leadership.
It starts by engaging in quiet reflection, shutting out the noise and distraction, and asking yourself questions to determine your values, priorities, and goals. For example: Am I spending enough time on the things that I believe are the most important to me? Do I keep my word? Do I confuse what I do with who I am—making my job my identity? If I had today to live over, what would I do differently?
I reflect on such questions for a minimum of 15 minutes a day and, for more than 40 years, at an annual three-day silent retreat. As I tell my MBA students and the executives who attend my talks on values-based leadership, self-reflection will help you determine with greater clarity where you are aligned with your values and where you fall short.
Another benefit of self-reflection is in identifying what comes first and what comes last. Too often, there is a tendency to have multiple “top priorities.” That’s why it’s helpful to ask: What’s really most important? What should I be doing more/less of? Otherwise, you’re probably at risk of confusing activity and productivity.
Resolve to engage in regular self-reflection to enhance decision making, set priorities, and lead from your values.
No. 3: Develop A Balanced Perspective To Become A Values-Based Leader
Whether you lead a team of 5, 50, 50,000—or only yourself, values-based leadership requires the principle of developing a balanced perspective. As I tell my students, you already know what you know; what you don’t know is how others think and what they believe. By listening to others, you open your mind to varied points of view and seek to understand perspectives that differ from your own.
I am often reminded of a quote from my grandfather, Farrell Grehan, who used to tell me when I was a young boy, “Harry, life is much simpler when you only understand your side of the story.” It does take effort to develop a balanced perspective, especially in today’s polarized world. But that investment of time and engagement with others helps ensure every person on your team feels empowered to share their ideas, perspectives, and concerns. In addition, the more people discuss the issue at hand, the more likely you’ll build consensus around the final decision.
Resolve to develop a balanced perspective in all things for your understanding, seeking to understand before you are understood.
No. 4: Embrace True Self-Confidence To Lead A Values-Based Organization
Early in my career, William Graham, the long-time chair and CEO of Baxter International, told me, “Harry, there are only two things you need to know to be a successful leader: what you know—and who knows what you don’t know.” His comment is one of the best definitions of true self-confidence, another principle of values-based leadership. With true self-confidence, you can become more comfortable saying, “I don’t know, but I’ll get an answer as soon as you need it.” No one can possibly know everything, so why waste time pretending to be omniscient? The answer could even be found from someone on your team who, thanks to your pursuit of a balanced perspective, will eagerly speak up with the necessary information.
When combined with self-reflection, true self-confidence also supports your own development to overcome the weaknesses you know about and uncover the blind spots that may elude you. As Korn Ferry, the talent and organizational consulting firm observed, self-awareness is key to leadership performance, so leaders can “recognize their own strengths and weaknesses in order to reach their potential and avoid derailment.”
Resolve to recognize your strengths and admit your weaknesses so you can surround yourself with people who have complementary talents and abilities.
No. 5: Build A Values-Based Legacy To Amplify Your Impact
When you think of values-based leadership, your frame of reference is probably your career. By committing your time, talent, and treasure, however, you can make a much larger impact. Your desire to “do good” extends into your local community or expands across the globe. That’s the essence of building a values-based legacy. Whether you’re just starting your career, you’re advancing into senior leadership, or you’re heading into retirement, building a legacy motivates you to consider what you can do for others.
This is a full-circle moment as you reflect on where you came from, a practice supported by the values-based leadership principle of genuine humility. You recall again the influence of your early role models, and all those who have contributed to your development and success thus far. In appreciation for all you have received, you reflect on what you can give back to others—such as becoming a mentor, volunteering with a local organization, or supporting a philanthropic cause or charity you admire (and not just by writing a check).
Resolve to identify the causes and concerns—locally and globally—that resonate with you and provide inspiration for how you can contribute to positive change.
With a new year upon us, it’s time to make resolutions around how you live and lead. By becoming aware of and aligned with your values, you will enjoy greater impact—at home, at work, and in the world around you.