Values & Guiding Principles of Decent Leaders, Employees, Teachers, Students, and Organizations
Values & Guiding Principles of Decent Leaders, Employees, Teachers, Students, and Organizations
Kind and Caring.
They are understanding and take an interest in the needs of the people they serve, their well-being and their fair treatment. They understand and are sensitive to the feelings and experiences of others. They show patience and they are especially kind to those who are not like themselves.
Integrity.
They think and act in an honest, fair and principled way. They honour the trust that people have placed in them. They live by what they believe and are consistent in their thoughts and actions. They conduct themselves with integrity, truthfulness and transparency. They do what is right and keep the promises they make. They are accountable for the responsibilities they have been given. Decent leaders, employees, teachers, students and organizations are reliable and assume personal responsibility. They pay attention to detail, and they are accountable for their plans, initiatives and actions. They do not lie, cheat or steal. They are loyal, fair, sincere and respectful of “the facts”.
Compassion.
Decent leaders, employees, teachers, students and organizations listen to others. They strive to create a supportive and safe environment for all. They embody the qualities of caring, patience, warmth, empathy and resolve.
Collaboration.
They find strength in a multitude of ideas and perspectives. They unite the people they lead in common purpose. They engage those that they serve through open, transparent and timely information sharing. Decent leaders, employees, teachers, students and organizations are servant leaders.
Diversity.
They foster a culture that values the collective sum of individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, unique capabilities and talent. They recruit individuals from a variety of backgrounds and seek to reflect the society of which their organisation is a part. They embrace the many differences that make each individual unique, including age, ability, ethnicity, language, culture, family status, marital status, socioeconomic status, language, health, political affiliation, religion, sexual orientation, geography or national origin.
Humble.
Decent leaders, employees, teachers, students and organizations listen deeply to others. They are free from pride and arrogance. They have a humble view of their own importance. They are outwardly focused with a true interest in others. They give credit where it is due. They are objective, solution-oriented, and they empower those around them to work for the common good.
Foresight.
They foresee the probable outcomes of situations and understand the likely impact of their actions. They are aware of the realities of the present, and they learn through lessons from the past.
Courage.
They have the mental and moral strength to lead by example and to speak up about important issues. They have the courage to put trust in others and persevere through difficult situations.
Generosity.
They are kind to others, giving of their time, knowledge and resources.
Inherent dignity and the worth of all people.
They treat people in ways that respect their dignity and ensure that everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources.
Objective.
They consciously strive to eliminate bias, prejudice, illogicality and error. They welcome dissenting opinions, and value a diversity of viewpoints.
Build Community.
They are optimistic and inspire people to build positive communities.
Honesty.
Decent leaders, employees, teachers, students and organizations are intellectually honest. They honour the trust that people have placed in them. They conduct themselves with integrity, truthfulness and straightforwardness. They live by what they believe, and are consistent in their thoughts and actions. They say what they mean, and they mean what they say. They do not lie, cheat or steal. They are loyal, fair, sincere and respectful of “the facts”.
Optimism.
Decent leaders focus on the positive and find new ways to solve problems.
The Environment and its Biodiversity.
They appreciate the beauty of, and importance of respect for nature, and they support the need to protect our environment and treat all life with care.
Transparency.
They are genuine and candid in their interactions and hold themselves accountable. They communicate honestly with the people they are serving.