Reading the article on the “Value-Based Leadership Paradigm” really made me reflect on my past perspectives on leadership. Recently during a divisional meeting at work, I was outspoken about how leadership should be prioritizing our team’s well-being over focusing on data and getting results. I believed that pushing for high performance without considering how it affected people’s mental health and overall well-being would lead to burnout and the team becoming disengaged. I felt strongly that if we took care of the team and allowed space for growth and emotional support, positive results would be inevitable.

Reflecting after reading the article, I realize that while my focus on well-being was important, I didn’t fully consider how a lack of urgency or accountability could impact the overall progress of the team. The article highlights that value-based leadership is about balancing people’s needs and organizational goals. It’s not about sacrificing one for the other but aligning your values with your actions to create an environment where both can thrive.

While I still firmly believe in the importance of supporting the wellness of my team, I am able to see how leadership also needs to inspire accountability and results. A healthy, content team is important, but it’s also crucial that we find a balance that drives progress. Moving forward, I want to lead in a way that supports my team’s needs while also keeping an eye on the bigger picture to ensure we achieve our goals without compromising our well-being.

Shatalebi, B., Yarmohammadian, M.H. (2011). Value based leadership paradigm. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042811009050