“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” – Albert Einstein

When we consider the change and disruption in the world right now, the type of leader required is one of humility, compassion, and empathy. Leaders must support their people as individuals and empower them to be leaders in their own right through human connection. Effective leaders uphold company values and act with respect, integrity, and transparency, ensuring their leadership fosters trust and inspiration.

From an ethical and moral perspective, there is now a widespread demand for value-based leadership. Leaders are expected to embody the principles they preach, creating organisations rooted in fairness, accountability, and moral responsibility. While this is easier said than done in a world filled with competing agendas and conflicting objectives, the most successful leaders today demonstrate the soft skills necessary to connect, support, and lead with compassion. These are the leaders for good.

The Importance of Values-Based Leadership

Having a clearly defined set of values that leaders and employees can rally behind is crucial for long-term organisational success. Many companies articulate values, but only the truly exceptional ones have leaders who role model and embed these values into the company culture. Leadership should be authentic and values-driven, as this fosters credibility and trust among employees.

Leadership styles will always be a topic of debate, but the starting point should be an alignment between leadership and organisational values. The world is evolving, and so must leadership. The pandemic era has redefined workplace expectations, making it essential for leaders to adapt to this new normal but change is happening all around us with the onset of artificial intelligence and technological advances. The transition is not just about operational changes and adapting to AI but about how leaders engage with their teams on a human level.

Apple’s Leadership Evolution

Apple provides a compelling case study of leadership transformation and values-based leadership. Under Steve Jobs, Apple’s leadership was visionary, innovation-driven, and relentless in pursuit of excellence. Jobs’ approach, while often demanding, focused on pushing the boundaries of creativity and product development. His leadership was built on inspiring employees to think differently and revolutionise technology.

Under Tim Cook, Apple’s leadership style evolved to incorporate a more inclusive and collaborative approach. Cook has placed significant emphasis on ethical leadership, sustainability, and corporate responsibility. Apple has invested heavily in environmental initiatives, diversity and inclusion, and corporate social responsibility, reinforcing its commitment to values beyond just product innovation. While Apple remains a profit-driven enterprise, its leadership shift under Cook exemplifies how modern leadership integrates financial success with ethical and sustainable business practices.

Leadership in Sports: The Role of Values in High-Performance Teams

In the world of sports, values-based leadership is also a defining factor in success. A prime example is Pep Guardiola, the highly successful football manager known for his leadership at FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City. Guardiola emphasises team cohesion, discipline, and respect. His leadership philosophy focuses not only on winning but also on fostering a positive team culture, accountability, and mutual respect.

Guardiola’s leadership is rooted in emotional intelligence, strategic innovation, and player development. He treats players as individuals, understanding their strengths and weaknesses, and motivates them through encouragement rather than fear. This values-driven approach has led to sustained success across multiple leagues and serves as a model for business leaders seeking to cultivate high-performing teams.

Ethics vs. Profit: The Leadership Dilemma

While companies like Apple have made strides in ethical leadership, challenges remain in balancing corporate responsibility with shareholder expectations. When large corporations exploit tax loopholes or engage in questionable labour practices, they undermine trust and ethical leadership principles. The fundamental tension between profit maximisation and ethical responsibility continues to shape leadership decisions globally.

This dilemma mirrors the long-standing debate in performance management: balancing ‘What’ goals (results) with ‘How’ behaviors (values). Many organisations have attempted to integrate ethical leadership into performance evaluations, but execution often falls short. True leadership success lies in ensuring that the ‘How’ behaviors—integrity, transparency, and empathy—are weighted as heavily as business results.

The Return to Human-Centered Leadership

The concept of values-based leadership is not new. Ancient Greek philosophers emphasised ethical leadership, and Confucius promoted empathy and understanding as core leadership principles. However, in today’s fast-paced, results-driven world, the return to human-centered leadership is more crucial than ever.

So, the pressing question remains: Do your people know and understand your company’s values? Do they live and breathe them? Can you see the opportunity to redefine your organisation’s leadership model to align with ethical values? Will empathy and compassion be valued as essential leadership traits?

The Business Impact of Values-Based Leadership

Employee engagement is directly influenced by leadership credibility, inspiration, and support. A study by McKinsey & Co found that 89% of employees reported higher satisfaction levels when working under leaders who were inspirational, supportive, and focused on development (Global Survey: War on Talent). Organisations that prioritise values-based leadership experience higher employee retention, greater innovation, and stronger customer loyalty.

The Future of Leadership: A Call to Action

In an era where individuals, leaders, and organisations can do more to support their colleagues, employees, and communities, the time for compassionate and ethical leadership is now. The world is calling for leaders who act with integrity, lead with empathy, and inspire trust. The future of leadership is not just about achieving business success but about shaping a world where leadership is synonymous with ethical responsibility and human connection.

Do you agree?