We have made great progress in recent years in educating managers on the importance of modeling behaviors that engage employees and contribute to the quality of work life within organizations. While the days of the capricious, vindictive boss aren’t entirely over, a new generation of managers has grown up valuing teamwork and corporate social responsibility.
That said, there is still a lot of work to be done in developing managerial talent. Few organizations have developed complete models for managers to follow. An enlightened management model would integrate positive management behaviors and attitudes with advanced principles related to work, the organization, the community, and the environment.
Although personal attitudes and beliefs will inevitably shape and refine the application of Enlightenment models to individual managers, there are certain core values and behaviors that define the Enlightenment manager. Here is a suggested starting point for that definition.
An enlightened manager –
1. Consider that the value of people is intrinsic, more than what they do at work.
2. See work as a potential path to self-actualization.
3. Believe that the means (production) and the ends (results) should not harm anyone.
4. Believes that employees, customers, suppliers, and all interested parties should be treated with respect, honesty, and fairness.
5. Creates and advocates for corporate social responsibility within the organization.
6. He believes that winning elevates everyone.
7. Believes in the importance of acting ethically and guiding others to do the same.
8. You believe that products should be safe.
9. Believes that products must meet or exceed customer expectations.
10. You believe that advertising and marketing programs must be credible and ethical.
11. You believe that employees should have the opportunity to grow personally and professionally.
12. Believe in proactively encouraging employees to grow personally and professionally.
13. You believe that credit should be given where credit is due.
14. You believe that teamwork works.
15. Believes that people are basically good and can be trusted to do the right thing.
16. Believes that learning is a virtue and practices active learning on the job and encourages others to do the same.
17. Knows that at the end of the day, if cash in doesn’t exceed cash out, he or she isn’t enlightened.
18. You believe that, in the long run, capitalism, personal property, and wealth have been forces for good.
19. You believe that the greed of some requires a reasonable amount of regulation and rules to protect those who might be harmed.
20. Believe that human beings have a moral responsibility to protect the environment.
21. Believes that all life is sacred and that humans have a special responsibility to protect those creatures that cannot defend themselves and protect themselves from human interference.
22. He believes that humanity is evolving and that his behavior should not be regressive but should move humanity forward.
23. You believe that the conflict can be resolved fairly and equitably given the good intentions of those in conflict.
24. You believe that those who at first seem less talented or skilled deserve the opportunity to find their own “level” within an organization.
25.Celebrate and usefully apply the diversity of people within the organization.
26. Makes a great personal effort and encourages others to accept people with different traditions, customs, beliefs and social values.
27. Believe that everyone, whether they know it or not, is looking for meaning in life and work.
28. You believe that bringing your authentic self to work is worthwhile and encourages others to do the same.
29. Believe in the importance of seeking balance in our lives, between work and play, thinking and doing, giving and receiving, leading and following, teaching and learning.