Leading with Conviction: Upholding Workplace Values in Turbulent Times

In times of political upheaval, workplace values often face their greatest test. Organizations must navigate increasingly complex waters where external pressures and internal principles can collide, creating challenges for leaders at every level. This tension presents both a significant challenge and an opportunity for organizations to demonstrate their commitment to their core values through courageous leadership.

The Challenge of Maintaining Values During Political Turbulence

Political upheaval can manifest in various ways within the workplace. External events may create pressure to take sides on contentious issues, while internal divisions might emerge among employees who hold different political views. During such periods, maintaining workplace values like inclusivity, respect, and professionalism becomes both more crucial and more challenging.

Organizations often face difficult decisions when political events intersect with business operations. Should they take public stances on controversial issues? How can they maintain neutrality while supporting affected employees? These questions test not only leadership resolve but also the robustness of organizational values.

The Role of Courageous Leadership

Courageous leadership in turbulent times means staying true to organizational values even when doing so comes at a cost. This might involve:

• Standing firm on principles of diversity and inclusion when facing pressure to compromise

• Making difficult decisions that prioritize long-term organizational health over short-term gains

• Addressing controversial issues head-on rather than avoiding necessary but uncomfortable conversations

• Supporting employees who may be personally affected by political events while maintaining professional boundaries

True courage in leadership isn't about being fearless—it's about acknowledging fears and uncertainties while still taking principled action. Leaders must balance multiple stakeholder interests while ensuring decisions align with core values and ethical principles.

Building a Culture of Courageous Leadership

Creating an environment where courageous leadership can flourish requires intentional effort at all organizational levels. Here are key strategies for fostering and promoting courageous leadership:

1. Develop Clear Values and Guidelines

Organizations need well-defined values that serve as a north star during difficult times. These values should be:

• Clearly articulated and consistently communicated

• Embedded in decision-making processes

• Regularly referenced and reinforced in day-to-day operations

• Supported by specific behavioral expectations and guidelines

2. Create Brave Spaces for Dialogue

Foster an environment where difficult conversations can happen productively by:

• Establishing ground rules for respectful discussion (please see our piece “On Workplace Civility” to ensure those rules are not, in fact, exclusive)

• Creating formal, informal and anonymous channels for feedback

• Training leaders in facilitating challenging conversations

• Demonstrating openness to different perspectives while maintaining clear boundaries

3. Recognize and Reward Courage

Acknowledge and celebrate instances of courageous leadership when they occur:

• Share stories of employees who demonstrated courage in upholding values

• Include courage as a criterion in performance evaluations

• Create formal recognition programs for ethical leadership

• Use examples of courageous leadership in training and development programs

4. Provide Support and Resources

Enable courageous leadership by offering:

• Training programs focused on ethical decision-making

• Mentorship opportunities with experienced leaders

• Clear escalation paths for ethical concerns

• Access to external expertise when needed

5. Lead by Example

It cannot be overstated that the culture is set from the top. Senior leadership must model courageous behavior by:

• Making tough decisions transparently and with appropriate consideration for stakeholders and context for the tradeoffs being made

• Acknowledging mistakes and learning from them

• Standing firm on values even when facing pressure

• Showing vulnerability while maintaining professional boundaries

The Path Forward

Building and maintaining a culture of courageous leadership is an ongoing journey, not a destination. Organizations must continuously evaluate and adjust their approach as circumstances change. This includes:

• Regular assessment of how well values are being upheld

• Gathering feedback from employees at all levels

• Updating policies and procedures as needed

• Investing in ongoing leadership development

During times of political upheaval, the temptation to compromise on values for the sake of expediency can be strong. However, organizations that maintain their commitment to principled leadership often emerge stronger and more resilient. By fostering courageous leadership at every level, organizations can navigate turbulent times while staying true to their core values and building a foundation for long-term success.

Remember that courageous leadership isn't just about grand gestures—it's about the small, daily decisions that collectively shape organizational culture. Every employee, regardless of their position, has the opportunity to demonstrate courage in upholding workplace values. By creating an environment that supports and celebrates these acts of courage, organizations can build resilience against external pressures while strengthening their internal culture.

Film Forward offers supportive programs for leaders at every level as well as individual contributors to build skills in courageous decision-making (this one for leaders and this one for teams), civil discourse and more.