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Although there are many other Values that could have an important supporting role for emphasis in a Youth Leadership Values Training Initiative, we recommend a focus on just four as the critical few. They represent the cornerstones that anchor a successful program of Leadership Values Training, especially when they are modeled, taught and developed, in context with the key Personality Characteristics.
Start by reading here, and then end by clicking on the icons in the side panel to the left, where you will find brief thumbnail views of a few of the many reasons why the following core Values are key to developing Leadership success:
INTEGRITY-ACHIEVEMENT-RESPONSIBILITY-COURAGE
A strong +Self-Esteem and a high level of +Self-Confidence are required to tackle the many challenges of Leadership, and in turn earn the right and gain the approval to lead. In addition, there is the need to demonstrate Responsibility and show the presence of necessary skills and abilities required for Achievement of the goals related to the over all task or mission. A high level of Courage and Integrity is also necessary. This is especially true because the stronger the belief of the leader and his followers in what is right and just, and the more difficult the task, the greater the will and resolve that all must have to achieve objectives in the face of escalating adversity.
By acting on the values of Integrity, Achievement, Responsibility, and Courage, the emerging leader begins to show to self and others, through the motivation of an +Attitude of Expectations, that s/he has a strong self-concept and the mix of +Self-Confidence, skills, and abilities that it takes for personal success and Leadership success. When the chemistry of this unique blend of Personality Characteristics and Leadership Values comes together, personal charisma is the term most frequently used to describe its appeal to followers.
How Leadership Core Values are Overlapping & Interrelated
This graphic helps to visualize the concept of how these Leadership Core Values have an overlapping and interrelated influence, each one relative to each other.
Leadership Values - Overlapping & Interrelated
INTEGRITY - ACHIEVEMENT - RESPONSIBILITY - COURAGE
Which Values to Single out for Emphasis?
Our approach is simply stated and straightforward. What we seek to accomplish is to help others understand, adopt, and act upon training the identified key values of Integrity, Achievement,Responsibility, and Courage in order for them to become guiding principles of behavior for our aspiring youthful leaders.
Understandably, there may be differences of opinion on which Values to single out for emphasis. Much has been written about which list of values are "universal" or "core" and the lists tend to grow larger, presumably out of concern of "leaving out" important values.
Our practical experience and observations over a number of years leads us to believe that these are the four cornerstones or Key Leadership Core Values. This website makes a case for that premise - you decide, but we encourage you to add values, not take away if you get the urge to adjust.
That said, do keep in mind the beauty of emphasizing the Leadership Core Values of Integrity, Achievement, Responsibility, and Courage vis-a-vis the four steps outlined on this web site, Youth Leadership Values Training. This affords for you a concentrated and "manageable" approach that is easy to conceptualize and implement - and it lends itself to possible inclusion of "supporting values" for secondary emphasis and discussion on an ad hoc basis.
How Leadership Core Values Synergistically Interact with Key Personality Characteristics
When the "Leadership Apprentice" begins to act with attention to developing the value of Responsibility, it plays a very large role in the ability to satisfy the need for respect from others, and therefore the need for self-respect. Continuing to act on the Responsibility value further develops high +Self-Esteem, while embracing the value of personal Achievement develops even more Self-Confidence.
As the "Aspiring Leader" continues to develop the value of Achievement, it gives rise to a self-assurance that flows from strong +Self-Confidence. As the value of Achievement further develops, the "Emerging Leaders" grow more confident, ultimately acquiring the ability to leverage their success by learning to apply new skills and abilities needed for overcoming obstacles, and for achieving difficult/challenging goals. By demonstrating this success and articulating an +Attitude of Expectations that leads others to believe they can do likewise, the "Emerging Leader" gains a following and earns their support, respect, and loyalty.
An ever-increasing level of the value of Courage is required as the "Emerging Leader" further commits to the actions implied in the spoken +Attitude of Expectations. At this point, the Leader now begins to demonstrate the motivation to lead others by modeling the belief and expectation that one can have a sense of control and choice in the outcome of future life events.
This Leadership development continues to progress to a focus on the decisions inherent in a +Moral/Ethical Life's View and the related refinements in the value of Integrity that go with it for a "Leader/Role Model/Mentor".
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