Perhaps as you read this, you’re thinking, “Core values, what are those, and how do I know what mine are?” Core values reflect what you truly find important, what drives you, and ultimately
influences your behavior. Examples of core values include freedom, love, and honesty. There are numerous core values.
How does this work in practice?
Let’s say honesty is one of your core values. But if many people around you don’t take the truth very seriously, this can create a clash for you and lead to misunderstandings. Additionally, you might not be living your own core value. For example, if adventure is a core value, but you always make safe choices and rarely engage in adventurous activities, you might feel a sense of something missing.
Furthermore, a core value means something different to one person than it does to another. You have your own standards for a core value. For instance, the core value of freedom might mean having the freedom to decide how you spend your free time for one person, while for another, it means not working for a boss and starting their own business. Ideally, you would define between 3 and 5 core values.
Making choices based on core values
Once you have insight into your core values, you can assess every decision against them. For example, if you chose to be your own boss because freedom is crucial to you, and you’re offered a job with little freedom, you might question whether that will make you happy. When applying for a job, checking the company’s core values on their website can help you assess if they align with your own core values.
Core values in organizations
For organizations, it’s also important to establish core values. They demonstrate what the company stands for and its driving forces. What does the company want to convey? Core values can be used in significant decisions: does this choice align with our core values? They are also crucial for marketing, as they answer the question: why should customers buy our product? For example, if sustainability is a core value, and you’ve integrated it into your business by offering sustainable products, you can promote this to attract people who also value sustainability.
Core values in teams