When I was taking classes at the U. of Virginia’s Darden School of Business between 1998-2000 while earning my Ph.D., I had a professor whom I considered one of the smartest men I had ever met. His name was Alec Horniman. In his Managerial Psychology class, he would have us read a book a week that had been published in the past decade to discuss with him and the class. In another class I took with him, he used readings from the Hartwick Classic Leadership Cases -which were famous moral, ethical, and and religious readings from B.C. to MLK.
I so enjoyed 2 of his courses that I asked to take a 3rd independent study with just him and me. For my independent study, he asked me to select 12 books to read that he would read along with me. The outcome of the class would be the creation of my own personal theory of leadership.
I should say that when I first went to meet with him in his office, I expected to see this ~70 year old man have bookcases surrounding him with all that he had read. Instead, I found a bare office space with almost no books there. I asked him where he kept all the books he read, since he was reading at least one book a week for decades. He told that each time he finished a book, he would write the name of someone’s who he thought might benefit from the book on the inside the cover of the book and give it to them. Thanks to his almost photographic memory, he did not need to keep the books for himself.
I wrote the following to Dr. Horniman when I turned in my first draft on November 2, 1999 (10 years to the day my daughter was born).
“Dr. Horniman, Before I begin, it might help to explain why I am doing this. I know that this is not a requirement for my independent study. First, I do this for me so that I may have a clearer idea of what wisdom is best for me to base my life upon. Capturing this wisdom on paper will help me to remember it and live it in my life.
Second, this is for those with whom I work. I could give it to peers, superiors and subordinates so that they will know how I hope to interact and work with them.
Third, this work is for my family. To them, this could represent what I am learning, who I am trying to become, and how I hope to live in relationship with them.
Finally, this work is for God, because I am, and always will be, trying to discern how best to live my life.”
This independent study was one of the first times I clearly identified and defined my 7 core values (see below). At that time, I also identified 28 other values that I consider essential to how I lived my life. I have included these 28 values on another page. My current core values can be found here.
Jeff Doyle’s Leadership Philosophy
Jeff’s Definition of Leadership
Leadership is the ability to inspire the head, the heart, and the hand to achieve a shared vision based on core values for the common good.
Jeff’s Definition of Values
Values are deep, fundamental truths that exist throughout the world. “Values are tightly interwoven threads running with exactness, consistency, beauty, and strength through the fabric of life.” (Covey) I acknowledge my inability to know true values fully. (Paul) However, I believe that I can increase my understanding of true values.
Jeff’s Leadership by Values Philosophy
My leadership philosophy is an attempt to offer a collection of values that offer clarity and purpose in the pursuit of a meaningful career and life. Although these values may make up my personal leadership philosophy, they cannot be assumed or forced on others. However, my hope is that any organization I lead will choose to include some of these values in their mission and vision.
Jeff’s Rationale for Values-Based Leadership
Although no single style of leadership is best across all situations & in all environments, leadership is about more than style. The focus of leadership is not about what I do, but who I am. (I am not a human doing, but a human being) If we can agree on common values, we will have the collective energy of consensus to change the world. Our ultimate goal is to integrate our core values into our thinking, feeling, and doing. Then, as the challenges and trials of life come, we can make decisions based on our values. By doing this, moment by moment, day by day, we hope to make this world a better place.
Jeff’s Expectations of His Leadership
I want people whom I lead to know that I have their best interests at heart and that I want them to succeed. I want people to know that the answers to the following questions are “Yes!” 1) Is there a purpose for me working here? 2) Will I be able to do something here to make this world a better place to live? 3) Is this a place where I can come to work most days and enjoy the culture in which I work?
Jeff’s Responsibilities as a Leader
It is my responsibility to help us define & express in writing, speaking, & living, our core beliefs and values. It is my responsibility to facilitate the creation of a clear statement of vision and its strategy. It is my responsibility to insure we provide simple statements of policy consistent with our values and vision.
How We Learn Leadership
Four primary ways in which we learn to be better leaders include:
- Discussing. We learn by talking to others. We ask questions that stimulate our thinking and confirm or deny our assumptions and beliefs.
- Experience and Making Mistakes. We are given the opportunity to try leading. We make mistakes and learn from them.
- Watching & Observing. We watch others lead. We learn from seeing their mistakes. We integrate their strengths.
- Reading & Reflecting. We read how others have led, their leadership theory and strategy. We reflect and integrate leadership values and philosophies that resonate with us.
Jeff’s 7 Core Values for Life (in 1999)
Vision
I want to know the purpose of anything on which I am going to spend my and other’s time. I believe everyone should together identify the organization’s core values and purpose. This organizational mission and these values guide decisions and action. From the core values an ideal and unique vision for the common good can be created. Because anything is possible if I believe in it, I live passionately to make the vision a reality. “The greatest rewards come from the greatest commitments.” (Kouzes & Posner) “Everything is possible for those who believe.” (Mark)
Love
I care about other people and want them to know that they have value, no matter what they do. I show my concern by trying to serve others; not for what I will get in return, but for the goodness of giving. “People should be seen more as beings to be trusted, believed in, and loved and less as objects to be used, competed with, or judged.” (Greenleaf) “Love always protects, always trust, always hopes, always persevers. Love never fails.” (Paul)
Learning
I enjoy learning new things and admit I have much to learn. I am not afraid to fail as long as I learn from my mistakes. I celebrate creativity because it opens avenues that have yet to be explored. I seek wisdom by asking and listening, watching and reflecting, and trying and failing. “Continuous learning is required if we are to adapt to changes which will definitely occur.” (Greenleaf) “Wisdom is supreme; therefore, get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” (Jedidiah)
Perseverance
I give my best in all that I do by focusing fully on the task at hand. I am never satisfied with the status quo. I work so that when I am done I am proud of my effort. “Successful people do the things failures don’t like to do. Successful people don’t like doing these things either, but their disliking is subordinated by the strength of their purpose.” (E. M. Gray) “Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”(Paul)
Teamwork
I welcome cooperation and collaboration and try to leave my competitive tendencies to the sports arena. I believe everyone should work together to make decisions and achieve the vision. “The truly effective person has the humility and reverence to recognize perceptual limitations and to appreciate the rich resources available through interaction with the hearts and minds of other human beings.” (Covey) “If we were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.” (Paul)
Trust
I am honest and open with others. I base relationships on a trust founded in honesty and integrity; where honesty involves telling the truth, being sincere, and being vulnerable, and integrity includes keeping promises and matching my actions with my words. “If we do not believe the messenger, we will not believe the message.” (Kouzes & Posner)
Faith
I believe life is about more than the material, rational world in which we daily live. I believe there is a God who loves me unconditionally and will guide me through life. I put my faith in God, who has a perfect plan for my life. “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Paul) “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” (Isaiah)
Deep Thoughts on Higher Ed and Life 