Introduction: The Move to Values-Based Leadership

The book starts by providing the rationale of why it is important to understand the shift to a more values-based approach to leadership and building a virtuous culture. This chapter discusses how and why the mood of organizations within Western cultures during this century has shifted to a values-based culture that encourages values-based leadership. Organizational and environmental factors including ethical scandals are raised which have resulted in this shift and the need for leaders to be more virtuous. With a move to being more values-based/virtuous, this chapter illustrates how values are now an influential element of leadership in decision-making right up to the executive and Board levels.