A research and skills training framework for values-driven leadership

Presents a framework for research into the exercise of values through organisational leadership. Leadership as a relationship and as a behaviour has values as a core dimension. Values underpin trust and credibility upon which relationships are built and sustained and inform the exercise of logical reasoning, communication, strategic thinking, and use of power. The proposed framework draws on work on emotional intelligence, spiritual intelligence and management behavioural competencies. It does not seek to identify a particular value set as optimal for leadership, but rather to identify the skills base required for the exercise of values through leadership. Whilst the contribution to leadership of senior executive coaching is increasingly recognised, extending this to line managers will, in practice, require tools and programs built around a testable research framework. Such a framework will assist HR managers to argue the strategic case for investment in values leadership training skills for supervisory and middle management personnel.