Sometimes it helps to have clearly held values

If you wake up as Alan Mulally, it’s not as good as waking up as Warren Buffett, but nowadays it has to feel pretty close to it. Ford’s CEO and Automobile magazine’s 2010 Man of the Year, Mulally has shown himself to be a skilled leader, both at Boeing and at Ford. But even he knows it could have turned out very differently.

In November of 2008, he was being treated contemptuously by Congress and the media, along with Bob Nardelli of Chrysler (one of the all-time bad CEOs and worth a column of his own) and Rick Waggoner of GM, for his pay package. In the end, he really did not apologize for his salary and perks, and as is often the case, it turned out he was worth what he was making.

Mulally’s job was not an easy one. He took over his role from Bill Ford, who walked out the door scratching his head at what was apparently unsolvable slippage in the company’s fortunes. He cleaned house to the extent necessary and focused on cars the public wanted, including hybrids. He even seems to be succeeding with bringing back the Taurus. (Note: I have often told my students that the two great evils on earth are Enron and the 1995 Ford Taurus Wagon.)

But the most important thing Mulally did in his time of crisis was to state his values, and Ford’s, clearly. No bankruptcy. No bailout. We will do it ourselves, whatever it takes. Then he went out and got the financing to turn the boat. Now Ford has passed GM in unit sales. This may only be temporary, but it is psychologically empowering for his company, at the very least.

There is a moral component in these statements of self-sufficiency that resonates with the American people. They do not like sycophants like GM who take bailout money, and they do not root for incompetents like Chrysler’s Nardelli. They love to support folks who stand on their own. And they are not very fond of ethical calculators who put a price on human life. Ford learned that lesson long ago with the Pinto’s exploding gas tanks.

Not all the waters will be smooth for Alan Mulally in the days ahead. But it is entirely possible that Ford’s clearly stated values will help them solidify their gains and compete at a new level, particularly in the United States.

This is a lesson for all of us, and one I am taking to heart as I begin my Ethics class again in a few weeks. What I am interested in hearing from readers in the response area below is this: In 50 words or less, what values drive you?