Values

Values and ethics are central to any organization; those operating in the national security arena are no exception. A disconnect between individual and organizational values will be dysfunctional. Additionally, an organization may publish one set of values, perhaps in an effort to push forward a positive image, while the values that really guide organizational behavior are very different. When there is a disconnect between stated and operating values, it may be difficult to determine what is "acceptable."A primary key to understanding behavior in organizations is to analyze the values, attitudes, personalities and perceptions brought to the organization by its members and how membership in the organization shapes behavior. Values can be defined as those things that are important to or valued by someone. That someone can be an individual or, collectively, an organization. One place where values are important is in relation to vision. One of the imperatives for organizational vision is that it must be based on and consistent with the organization's core values. In one example of a vision statement, the organization's core values - in this case, integrity, professionalism, caring, teamwork, and stewardship- were deemed important enough to be included with the statement of the organization's vision. When values are shared by all members of an organization, they are extraordinarily important tools for making judgments, assessing probable outcomes of contemplated actions, and choosing among alternatives. Perhaps more important, they put all members "on the same sheet of music" with regard to what all members as a body consider important. Values are the embodiment of what an organization stands for, and should be the basis for the behavior of its members. Individually or organizationally, values determine what is right and what is wrong. The influence of family, religion, community, and school will determine individual values. The organization, to a large extent, is dealing with individuals whose value base has been established.