If These Walls Could Talk: An Institutional Perspective on Values-Based Leadership

Authors

Arild Wæraas, Oslo Metropolitan UniversityFollow
Harald Askeland, VID Specialized UniversityFollow
Gry Espedal, VID Specialized UniversityFollow

Corresponding Author

arildwae@oslomet.no

Abstract

Scholars usually conceptualize values-based leadership (VBL) as a subset of transformational leadership. By contrast, we see VBL as a form of leadership in its own right, having theoretical roots in institutional theory. Building on recent Scandinavian contributions to VBL, we develop our argument by delineating VBL from transformational leadership and proposing a conceptualization of VBL that is consistent with Selznick’s theory of institutional leadership. Specifically, we see VBL as an approach that involves focused attention throughout the organization to desired practices and critical reflection on values, emphasizing the leader’s role as a facilitator of values work and protector of existing and emerging values.

Recommended Citation

Wæraas, Arild; Askeland, Harald; and Espedal, Gry (2025) "If These Walls Could Talk: An Institutional Perspective on Values-Based Leadership," The Journal of Values-Based Leadership: Vol. 18 : Iss. 2 , Article 14.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22543/1948-0733.1576
Available at: https://scholar.valpo.edu/jvbl/vol18/iss2/14