Values of the Workplace

Being a leader in today's society is especially difficult in the workplace. Working with people who have the same values makes being a leader easy but if you work with others that have different values it makes things difficult. I work in Newman Library with ten other students. Many days there is only one supervisor for all ten students with the students out numbering the supervisor it is hard for the supervisor to watch all ten people at once. Occasionally other students will sit down and eat lunch while still clocked in or they will take breaks when they are supposed to be completing a project. Growing up my parents raised me to always do a good job and respect your boss. Taking time to eat while still clocked in does not seem respectful to me yet others I work with see no problem.  

Working with others different values can be difficult. To learn to better understand others with different values we must first figure out what values are most important in the workplace. The Art of Leadership lists the five values that are mentioned the most often in an American workplace. Honesty, respect, service, excellence, and integrity are listed as the five most important values. If people are taking breaks when they are not supposed to then they are not being honest with their bosses nor are they respecting the company. While this may not bother some people it will make others uncomfortable and leave them in a position where they do not see eye to eye with their neighbors. The list below by Leading Answers was used as a research project for the book The Leadership Challenge. 

Learning to work with people who have different values may seem difficult but in article called "Generational Diversity in the Workplace", by Jamie Notter, it mentions that different generations have a different set of values. For example someone born in 1940 by think the most important values are dedication and sacrifice. While someone born in 1980 may think the most important values are diversity and thinking globally are the two most important values. Knowing this I feel that to work well with other who have different values it is important to remember their values while not the same as yours may not be wrong. Remember that everyone has a different set of values it is easier to work with others.