The bad news: The World Health Organization reports over 8 million people die annually by smoking.
The good news: The CEO of Phillip Morris International says cigarettes should be banned and his company will stop selling Marlboro cigarettes in the UK within a decade. Read more here.
According to the article, the move is part of the company’s goal to become smoke-free and help end the use of traditional cigarettes. The company’s vision and values, clearly stated on its website, are consistent with the article’s message. This is incredible!
The leaders at Phillip Morris International are doing the right thing by wanting to find and promote a safer alternative for their customers.
Don’t you wish more companies would also do the right thing?
- If your values talk about excellent service, then give us excellent service—not entry-level service.
- If your values talk about high-quality products, then give customers top-quality products.
- If your values talk about respect for your employees, then demonstrate that respect consistently.
Leadership Tip
Look to your values when making decisions about your business.
Test yourself. Look at the most recent five decisions you made about people, products, service, innovation, strategy, policy, processes, or something else in your world. Then ask , “Were the decisions I made consistent with the stated values of our organization?”
If they were, give yourself a high-five and keep up the good work. If they weren’t, correct them if you can. If it’s too late, then move on and do better next time.
Why? Because your leadership credibility is at stake. Therefore, you must hold yourself and your team accountable to make the right decisions for the right reasons.
Leaders who lack credibility are not trusted by their followers and have a difficult time achieving a fully engaged workforce. And a fully engaged workforce is critical to long-term organizational and leadership success.
