We have made great progress in recent years in educating managers about the importance of modeling behaviors that engage employees and contribute to the quality of work life within organizations. While the days of the capricious and vindictive boss are not entirely over, a new generation of managers has grown up valuing teamwork and corporate social responsibility.

That said, there is still a lot of work to be done in developing managerial talent. Few organizations have developed comprehensive models for managers to follow. An enlightened model of management would integrate positive behaviors and attitudes of managers with advanced principles related to work, organization, community and the environment.

Although personal attitudes and beliefs will inevitably shape and refine the application of enlightened models for individual managers, there are certain core values ​​and behaviors that define the enlightened manager. Here is a suggested starting point for that definition.

An enlightened manager

1. Considers that the value of people is intrinsic, more than what they do at work.

2. Sees work as a potential path to self-fulfillment.

3. Believes that the means (production) and the ends (results) should not harm anyone.

4. Believes that employees, customers, suppliers, and all stakeholders should be treated with respect, honesty, and fairness.

5. Believe and advocate for corporate social responsibility within the organization.

6. Believes that winning elevates everyone.

7. Believes in the importance of acting ethically and guiding others to do the same.

8. Believe that products should be safe.

9. Believes that products should meet or exceed customer expectations.

10. Believe that advertising and marketing programs should be credible and ethical.

11. Believes that employees should have the opportunity to grow personally and professionally.

12. Believes in proactively encouraging employees to grow personally and professionally.

13. Believes credit should be given when credit is due.

14. Believe that teamwork works.

15. Believes that people are basically good and can be trusted to do the right thing.

16. Believes that learning is a virtue and practices active learning at work and encourages others to do the same.

17. Knows that at the end of the day, if cash in does not exceed cash out, he or she is not enlightened.

18. Believe that, in the long run, capitalism, personal property, and wealth have been forces for good.

19. You believe that the greed of some requires a reasonable amount of regulation and rules to protect those who might be harmed.

20. Believes that human beings have a moral responsibility to protect the environment.

21. Believes that all life is sacred and that humans have a special responsibility to protect those creatures that cannot defend themselves and protect themselves from human interference.

22. Believes that humanity is evolving and that its behavior should not be regressive but should move humanity forward.

23. Believes that the conflict can be resolved fairly and equitably given the good intentions of those in conflict.

24. Believes that those who initially seem less talented or skilled deserve the opportunity to find their own “level” within an organization.

25. Celebrate and usefully apply the diversity of people within the organization.

26. Makes great personal effort and encourages others to accept people with different traditions, customs, beliefs and social values.

27. Believes that everyone, whether they know it or not, is looking for meaning in life and work.

28. Believes it is worth bringing your authentic self to work and encourages others to do the same.

29. Believe in the importance of seeking balance in our lives, between work and play, thinking and doing, giving and receiving, leading and following, teaching and learning.