Ethical Leadership Through Giving Voice to Values from Coursera

This course offers an action-oriented introduction to Giving Voice to Values (or GVV), an exciting new approach to values-driven leadership development in the workplace, in business education and in life.

GVV is not about persuading people to be more ethical, but instead it starts from the premise that most of us already want to act on our values, but that we also want to feel that we have a reasonable chance of doing so effectively. Through positive, real life examples, pre-scripting, rehearsal and peer coaching, GVV builds the skill, the confidence and likelihood that we will act on our values more often and more successfully. Based on research and practice, with over 1,000 pilots in educational settings and companies on all seven continents, GVV helps answer the questions: “What if I were going to act on my values? What would I say and do? How could I be most effective?”

This course was developed at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia and is taught by top-ranked faculty. You will come away from GVV with an expanded toolkit, as well as practice, in a variety of methods and techniques for voicing and enacting your own values and principles. You will develop and practice leadership skills in "peer coaching” with other learners. Through cases and stories based on recognizable workplace, classroom and life values conflicts, you will apply the GVV techniques and “re-frames”, expanding your repertoire for possible action as well as identifying and rehearsing responses that are likely to be most effective. Through this practice, you will gain greater confidence and competence in voicing and enacting your values effectively.

What's inside

Syllabus

What Is Giving Voice to Values? Why and How It Works

Welcome to week one of the course! What kinds of values conflicts have you experienced in your life? Has there been a time in your life where you have been faced with a values conflict and didn't know how to speak up, or what to say? During this week, you'll first be introduced to a story called The Client That Fell Through the Cracks. This story provides an example of the kind of values conflict that we all can encounter in the workplace, and how to address it by effectively acting on your values. Next, you'll explore what Giving Voice to Values (GVV) is and who uses it. You'll hear from practitioners in business, higher education, and the military in regards to why and how they used GVV to address their workplace challenges. We'll discover how research informs GVV in developing a moral muscle memory, and how this innovative approach is different from traditional approaches to ethics. Then you'll be briefly introduced to the seven pillars that form the foundation of GVV. Finally, we'll spend some time examining in more depth the first two pillars, Values and Purpose. By the end of this module, you'll realize in the face of values conflicts there is power and impact in asking yourself a new question, "What if I was going to act on my values--what would I say and do?"

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Introduces Giving Voice to Values, a novel method used for values-driven leadership development in the workplace and in life

Provides practical examples, pre-scripting, rehearsal, and peer coaching to aid in building confidence and skills for effective value expression

Developed and taught by top-ranked faculty from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia

Centers on research and practice, with over 1,000 successful implementations in educational settings and companies globally

Specifically useful for those seeking to build their values-based leadership skills and confidence in speaking up for their values

Suitable for individuals in business, education, and military settings, as it addresses leadership challenges faced across various sectors

Reviews summary

Ethical leadership: action-oriented values

According to learners, this course offers an action-oriented and practical approach to ethical leadership. Students appreciate the Giving Voice to Values (GVV) framework, finding it a novel and effective method for addressing values conflicts. The course provides concrete tools like scripting and rehearsal, which help build confidence in speaking up. Many highlight the value of peer coaching and discussion, though some note challenges with participation timing (neutral). The content is seen as relevant for professionals seeking to act on their values. Reviewers generally find the instructor engaging and knowledgeable and the course structure well-organized.

Content flows logically.

"The course is well-structured, building concepts week by week effectively."

"Modules are bite-sized and manageable, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule."

"Content is presented clearly and progressively, which helped in absorbing the material."

"The syllabus outlined the topics well, and the flow made sense for learning GVV."

Offers insights from other learners.

"The peer coaching aspect was incredibly valuable, offering diverse perspectives and practice opportunities."

"Engaging with others in discussions helped solidify my understanding and see different ways to apply GVV."

"I appreciated the opportunity to hear about real-life values conflicts from other students."

"The peer review of assignments was helpful, although sometimes timing/participation was a challenge."

Lectures are well-delivered.

"The instructor is very knowledgeable and presents the material in an engaging way."

"Lectures were clear, concise, and kept me motivated throughout the course."

"Dr. Gentile's passion for the subject is evident and inspiring."

"I found the instructor's examples and insights particularly helpful."

Helps learners feel ready to act.

"Through scripting and rehearsal, I feel much more confident in my ability to voice my values effectively when challenges arise."

"The exercises helped me build 'moral muscle memory' as described, making it easier to anticipate and respond."

"This course gave me the language and confidence I needed to have difficult conversations rooted in my values."

"I came away with an expanded toolkit and practice in methods for voicing and enacting my principles."

Applicable to workplace situations.

"As a working professional, I found the cases and examples highly relevant to situations I've encountered."

"This course is a must for anyone in a leadership position or aspiring to one, dealing with real-world ethical challenges."

"I could immediately apply the concepts and techniques learned to improve my interactions at work."

"Focused on navigating everyday ethical challenges in organizations, which is exactly what I needed."

Teaches an action-oriented method.

"The GVV framework is practical and action-oriented, focusing on how to speak up rather than just knowing right from wrong."

"I found the GVV approach to be a refreshing change from traditional ethics training. It gives concrete steps."

"This course provided me with a new lens and practical tools to approach ethical dilemmas in my workplace."

"The framework helped me realize that values conflicts are normal and gave me confidence to tackle them."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Ethical Leadership Through Giving Voice to Values with these activities:

Brush up on your communication and interpersonal skills

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Enhance your ability to communicate effectively and build strong relationships, which are essential for successfully applying GVV in your professional interactions.

Browse courses on Communication Skills

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Take an online or in-person course on communication skills.
Practice active listening and empathy in your daily interactions.
Seek feedback from colleagues or mentors on your communication skills.

Review key concepts from ethics and values-driven leadership

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Review the fundamentals of ethics and values-driven leadership to refresh your knowledge and strengthen your foundation for GVV.

Browse courses on Ethics

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Re-read your notes or textbooks from previous courses on ethics and leadership.
Review online articles and resources on the topic of values-driven leadership.

Explore online tutorials on GVV and values-driven leadership

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Supplement your learning by exploring online tutorials and resources that provide additional insights and practical guidance on GVV and values-driven leadership.

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Search for online tutorials on GVV and values-driven leadership.
Watch videos, read articles, and complete exercises to enhance your understanding.
Apply what you learn from the tutorials to your own professional experiences.

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Practice identifying values conflicts and developing action plans

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Engage in exercises that simulate real-life scenarios to practice recognizing values conflicts and devising effective action plans using GVV techniques.

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Use online simulations or role-playing exercises to practice identifying values conflicts.
Develop action plans for different values conflict scenarios.
Peer review and discuss your action plans with others to gain feedback.

Join a peer support group for GVV practitioners

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Connect with other GVV practitioners to share experiences, best practices, and support each other in applying GVV in your own professional contexts.

Browse courses on Peer Support

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Search for online or local peer support groups focused on GVV or values-driven leadership.
Attend group meetings regularly and actively participate in discussions.
Share your own experiences and challenges with GVV implementation.

Attend a GVV workshop or training program

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Participate in a structured workshop or training program led by experienced GVV practitioners to deepen your understanding and skills in applying GVV in your professional life.

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Research and identify GVV workshops or training programs that align with your learning goals.
Register and attend the workshop or training program.
Actively engage in the workshop activities and discussions.

Organize and review your GVV resources

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Consolidate your notes, handouts, and other materials from the course and other GVV-related resources to create a comprehensive reference for future use.

Browse courses on Ethics in Education

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Gather all your materials related to GVV, including notes, handouts, and online resources.
Organize your materials into a logical structure, such as by module or topic.
Review your materials regularly to reinforce your understanding of GVV concepts and techniques.

Develop a GVV implementation plan for your workplace or organization

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Create a comprehensive plan that outlines how you will implement GVV principles and practices within your own professional context, addressing challenges and opportunities specific to your organization.

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Assess your organization's current values and ethical climate.
Identify specific areas where GVV can be applied to address challenges or enhance values-driven leadership.
Develop a roadmap for implementing GVV, including timelines, resources, and evaluation criteria.

Career center

Learners who complete Ethical Leadership Through Giving Voice to Values will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Lawyer

Lawyers provide legal advice to clients and represent them in court. GVV can help Lawyers develop the skills they need to effectively provide legal advice and represent their clients. It can also help them to build relationships with clients and create a positive work environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lawyer

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officers are responsible for leading and managing companies. GVV can help Chief Executive Officers develop the skills they need to effectively lead their companies and achieve their goals. It can also help them to build relationships with stakeholders and create a positive work environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer

Corporate Trainer

Corporate Trainers are responsible for developing and delivering training programs to employees. GVV can help Corporate Trainers develop the skills they need to effectively design and deliver training programs. It can also help them to build relationships with employees and create a positive learning environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Trainer

Executive Coach

Executive Coaches provide guidance to executives on how to improve their leadership skills. GVV can help Executive Coaches develop the skills they need to effectively coach executives and help them achieve their goals. It can also help them to build relationships with executives and create a trusting environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Executive Coach

Professor

Professors are responsible for teaching and conducting research at colleges and universities. GVV can help Professors develop the skills they need to effectively teach their students and conduct their research. It can also help them to build relationships with students and create a positive learning environment.

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Social Worker

Social Workers provide support to individuals and families who are facing challenges. GVV can help Social Workers develop the skills they need to effectively provide support to clients and help them overcome their challenges. It can also help them to build relationships with clients and create a supportive environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Mediator

Mediators help people resolve disputes. GVV can help Mediators develop the skills they need to effectively mediate disputes and help people reach agreements. It can also help them to build relationships with disputants and create a positive environment for resolution.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for planning and executing the operations of a company. GVV can help Operations Managers develop the skills they need to effectively manage resources and processes. It can also help them to build relationships with employees and create a positive work environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Consultant

Consultants provide advice to companies on how to improve their performance. GVV can help Consultants develop the skills they need to effectively communicate their recommendations to clients. It can also help them build relationships with clients and gain their trust.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing the human resources of a company. GVV can help Human Resources Managers develop the skills they need to effectively manage employees and resolve conflicts. It can also help them build relationships with employees and create a positive work environment.

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Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. GVV can help Project Managers develop the skills they need to effectively manage projects and stakeholders. It can also help them to communicate project updates and deliverables to stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for leading and managing sales teams. GVV can help Sales Managers develop the skills they need to effectively motivate and inspire their teams. It can also help them to build relationships with customers and close deals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for planning and executing marketing campaigns. GVV can help Marketing Managers develop the skills they need to effectively communicate their marketing messages to target audiences. It can also help them to build relationships with customers and generate leads.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts provide guidance to companies in determining how to best achieve their business goals. GVV can help Business Analysts improve their communication skills and provide them with tools to resolve conflicts. They can also use GVV to build relationships with stakeholders and help them understand the company's goals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Change Manager

Change Managers oversee change initiatives within companies. GVV can help Change Managers develop the skills they need to effectively manage change and build support for new initiatives. It can also help them to communicate the benefits of change to employees and gain their buy-in.

See salaries and explore the career path for Change Manager