leading with values: why it matters more than ever

Last week, as Monday night turned into Tuesday morning, Canada named a new Prime Minister. To be clear, Prime Minister Carney had been governing before the election, so he will continue. However, the title of "new" feels fitting given that only weeks prior, he was sworn in following a very quick leadership race after the resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

As I wrote last week, there's a lot changing in the world, Canada is no exception. Despite the "other guys" (aka the Conservative Party) running on the slogan "Vote for Change," it turns out that at least half of the Canadian electorate wasn’t swayed by it. Slogans aside, voters were moved by many deeply personal and wide-ranging issues: Donald Trump’s threats to Canadian sovereignty, affordability, human rights for the transgender and broader 2SLGTBQ+ community, Canada’s military, and meeting our NATO commitments—just to name a few.

What struck me most about the election wasn’t the outcome, it was how Prime Minister Carney grounded his leadership vision in values. In his acceptance speech, he spoke about the importance of Canadian values. He named three in particular: humility, ambition, and unity. As he described how each one would guide his work, I was struck by this act of reflective, intentional leadership.

Here, on day one, was someone who understood the power of values-based leadership. By clearly articulating his values and aligning them with those of Canadians, he was building trust and respect. He was developing a stronger culture of engagement by creating something people could relate to. But he was also showing people who he was, what he stood for, and how he intended to be measured as a leader.

Far too often, we don’t take the time to reflect on our own values—especially as leaders. We adopt the values of our organizations and adapt to the prevailing culture, rarely pausing to ask ourselves: What do I truly believe in?

I’ll be honest: before I started my coaching program, I never once stopped to reflect on my personal values.

I had taken countless leadership courses, but not one encouraged me to look inward and consider how my personal values related—or didn’t relate—to those of my organization. I didn’t ask myself if I was aligned with my work. I didn’t think about what I might be sacrificing in order to live out corporate values. I didn’t realize how misaligned I was until I burned out. 

It’s incredibly difficult to show up in alignment with your authentic self when you don’t know what that self values. And by authentic, I mean showing up as genuine, true, and honest—not just with others, but with yourself. Authentic people are consistent in their words and actions. They don’t need to bend themselves to fit into every situation.

Closely tied to authenticity is self-awareness. Values help you understand how your feelings, desires, strengths, and motivations have been shaped. They help you understand how your behaviors influence the decisions you make and the people around you.

What do I mean?

Say, for example, you — like Prime Minister Carney — value humility. You might also value honesty and integrity. In a workplace setting, you may find it challenging to work with someone who is boastful or takes credit for others’ work. Without the self-awareness that comes from understanding your values, these dynamics can be confusing or demoralizing. You might feel resentful or overlooked without fully understanding why.

This is why I offer a values exercise to every person I coach. Most people take me up on it. Even those who feel they have a solid sense of their values are often surprised by what they discover.

Because values change.

I tend to review mine seasonally. Depending on where I am in life, different values rise to the surface. Family is always important to me—but right now, connection is my top priority. Knowing what’s important for where you are at this moment helps you realign your habits, your goals, and your work.

Why does it matter?

When leaders lead with clearly defined values, it builds psychological safety, trust, and stronger team cohesion. Employees are more likely to fell engaged when they understand and align with their leader’s values. As the Sloan MIT Management Review notes: "values lie at the heart of effective leadership, serving as the foundation for decisions and organizational cultures." The Society for Human Resource Management discusses how values-based leadership impacts various aspects of the workplace, including recruitment, employee engagement, motivation, and innovation. They note that leaders who align their actions with core values create environments where employees feel valued and understood.

How do I dig into my values?

Join me! Later this month, I will be sharing more information on new workshop on values-based leadership, to help leaders reconnect with what truly drives them.

If you’ve never stopped to examine your values, or if it’s been a while, this is your invitation. Because the most powerful leadership doesn’t come from status or strategy—it comes from values, lived and shared.

Want to be the kind of leader people trust, respect, and remember?

Start with your values.