Tell me honestly... are you ready to lead with your values?

They can be your leadership superpower if you let them

This is a free post for the Lead with Intention community!

"Lead with your values on your sleeve, not your emotions"

This is something I am rather fond of saying to my coaching clients (brilliant senior professionals and new leaders, struggling with getting out of their own way).

It was somewhat of a lightbulb moment when I came to this realisation years ago, after being told time and time again, that my emotions were getting in the way of my leadership impact.

Instead, I learned to lean into my core values (which include honesty, transparency, autonomy and more) and use these to guide my decision making and my response when things got challenging, or I was drawn into a fraught or difficult conversation or decision.

I didn't become a robot. I was still human. But my values rose to the top, instead of my emotions. And that not only made me a better leader, it also helped me feel happier and more at one with who I was - at work and at home.

If you're reading this as an aspiring or new corporate leader, I want to share some thoughts and some advice on how you can learn to lead with your values not just intact, but ingrained into the way you work and lead.

And it's not easy. But it's so worth it.

Your values aren't just a moral compass - they are a leadership asset

As a former Director of Corporate Communications turned leadership coach, I’ve had my share of lessons on the importance of leading with values.

I know what it feels like to navigate the pressure to deliver results, sometimes at the expense of staying true to what I believed was right. There were moments when I found myself caught between my own principles and the priorities of senior executives, and I didn’t always get it right. But every time I compromised, even a little, it became painfully clear that the short-term gains were never worth the long-term cost.

It took time and experience to realize that my values weren't just a personal compass but a strategic asset. Now, as a leadership coach, I’m passionate about this lesson:

Leading with your values isn’t just a “nice to have” - it’s essential for your credibility, your career, and your role in shaping your organisation’s culture.

Leading with integrity - far from a check box exercise

From my years in the corporate world, I know that leading with integrity is not just about checking the box on ethical behaviour; it’s about consciously aligning every decision with your core values, even when (especially when!) the stakes are high.

It means speaking up when the path forward isn’t clear, or when the pressure to stay silent is overwhelming. At times in my corporate career, I felt like the lone voice questioning the potential ethical implications of a communications strategy, and I’ll admit, it was uncomfortable. But I’ve also felt the power that comes from standing firm in what I knew was right. The confidence I gained from those moments wasn’t just for show - it was earned through hard choices.

Leading with integrity isn't always the easiest path, especially when you’re operating in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment where business results can overshadow ethical considerations.

But when you hold true to your principles, you’ll find that you’re not just preserving your own credibility - you’re setting a standard that influences others around you.

"What's it like to be led by you?" is a question you should ask yourself often.

And be ready to sit with the answers and ask yourself honestly if you are behaving - and leading - in a way that really reflects your values.

Here’s what I know now: standing firm in your values pays off in ways you might not expect.

When I began consistently aligning my decisions with my values, I noticed a shift in how I was perceived - not just as a functional leader but as a trusted advisor. My influence grew because others knew I wasn’t afraid to speak the truth, even when it wasn’t easy. That didn't mean I was completely rigid in my thinking - far from it - but that I would always bring an authentic, values-driven perspective to the table.

How to Identify and Define Your Core Values

Reflect Deeply: Think about a time when you felt truly proud of how you showed up as a leader. What was happening, and what values were at play? It’s often in these moments that your core values come to light.

Get Specific: Once you’ve identified your values, take a moment to define them in your own words. Don’t settle for generic terms like “respect” or “integrity.” Instead, describe how these values show up for you. For example, if “courage” is one of your values, ask yourself what courageous leadership looks like in your day-to-day.

Live Your Values Daily: Think of your values as the lens through which you view your leadership. Use them to guide your decisions, set priorities, and even hold yourself accountable. Over time, you’ll find that they’re not just something you talk about; they’re the standards you live by.

Bringing Your Values to Life

Values only become powerful when they’re put into action.

So let me ask you:

What actions can you take this week to live, work and lead in alignment with your core values?

(Reply and let me know if you feel like sharing or want some accountability)

Have a great week, and I hope this helped!

Louise