Core Values in Business: A Leadership Essential, Not Just a Personal Exercise

Contents

Core Values – The Compass That Guides Us

Core Values Definition: What Are They, Really?

Why Core Values Matter for Leaders and Teams

What the Research Says: Values Drive Engagement

How to Discover Your Core Values (Free Toolkit)

How Many Core Values Should You Have?

Do Core Values Change Over Time?

Don’t Be Fooled by ‘Shoulds’: Social Idealism vs Real Values

Five Ways to Put Your Core Values into Practice

Final Thought: Leadership Starts With Clarity

 

Core Values – The Compass That Guides Us

When we talk about core values in business, it’s easy to think of those generic lists, five or six polished words printed on a poster that no one can quite remember.

A friend of mine tells a great story from his time at a large UK organisation.

One afternoon, he watched a very tall colleague walk through the office, repeatedly bumping his head on the company’s Foamex value boards hanging from the ceiling.

He eventually stopped him and asked, “Do you know what the new company values are?”

The man paused, looked up, and drew a complete blank.

True story!

And here’s another truth: the most powerful values work starts on a personal level.

Your core values, as a leader, teammate, and human being, are the compass that guides how you show up in every conversation, decision, and challenge.

When you’re clear on your own values, you lead with more consistency, build stronger relationships, and make better decisions under pressure.

In this article, we’ll clarify what we mean by ‘core values’, explain why they matter in leadership and teamwork, and show you how to identify yours, with a free toolkit to help.

 

Core Values Definition: What Are They, Really?

Let’s start with a clear definition of core values:

“Core values are the deeply held beliefs and priorities that guide your behaviour, decisions, and relationships.”

Your core values in business are not imposed by your employer or chosen because they sound good on a CV. They are yours.

And when you identify them clearly, you unlock a new level of purpose and impact.

These values aren’t aspirational; they’re observable (although you may have one value that is somewhat aspirational).

They show up in how you spend your time, where you give your energy, and what you stand for (and against).

 

Why Core Values Matter for Leaders and Teams

You cannot lead others effectively if you don’t know what you stand for yourself.

When you understand your core values in business, you gain:

Clarity in the Grey

Leadership isn’t black and white. When the correct answer isn’t obvious, your values offer a robust decision-making filter to fall back on.

Confidence Under Pressure

When your values are clear, you stop second-guessing yourself. You can act with integrity and authenticity, two traits that build your credibility as a leader.

Deeper Team Relationships

Understanding your team members’ values fosters trust, enhances communication, and minimises unnecessary conflict.

When we have some insight into the things that are truly important to our colleagues, we are better able to understand the decisions they make and the actions they take. We may not always agree, but at least we understand.

 

What the Research Says: Values Drive Engagement

According to James Kouzes and Barry Posner, authors of The Leadership Challenge, leaders are most effective when they’re clear on their own values and help their teams connect to shared values.

The findings of their research tell us that people feel more engaged when they understand their organisation’s values. But engagement increases even more when they know their colleagues’ personal values and feel their own are understood and respected.

In other words, if you want a high-performing team, start with a conversation about individual values.

That’s why this isn’t just a personal development exercise; it’s a practical tool that will increase the performance of your team. And it’s one I can help facilitate with you and your team.

 

 

How to Discover Your Core Values (Free Toolkit)

If you’re ready to define your own core values in business and in life, I’ve created a free, practical toolkit to guide you step-by-step.

Inside, you’ll find:

• A complete core values list
• An easy, structured way to shortlist your primary values
• Prompts to define what each value means in your real, day-to-day life
• A group exercise to use with your team, based on conversations I facilitate in leadership workshops

Download the Core Values Toolkit.

How Many Core Values Should You Have?

For individuals, the ideal number of core values is typically 5 to 9.

This reflects our cognitive bandwidth; we can remember and live by this number without losing clarity.

Your top 5–6 values will be your primary values, the ones that guide your major decisions and behaviours. The following 2–3 are secondary values, still important, but slightly less dominant.

This is precisely how the Core Values Toolkit helps you refine your list, so you can focus on what truly motivates you.

 

Do Core Values Change Over Time?

In my experience, and supported by leading thinkers, our core values remain relatively stable throughout life. But their priority can shift as our context changes.

Take me, for example.

In my twenties, I wouldn’t have listed “family” in my top five. But I was always close to my parents.

Later, when I married and had a daughter, “family” became a clear and active priority. It had always been there; it just moved from the background to the front row.

That’s why it’s helpful to revisit your values on a regular basis. Not because they’ll be brand new, but to ensure your actions and priorities match where you are right now.

 

Don’t Be Fooled by ‘Shoulds’: Social Idealism vs Real Values

Dr. John Demartini warns against what he calls “social idealisms”; the values we think we should have, based on external pressures. (You can listen to my podcast interview with him here)

It might sound good to say you value innovation or ambition, but if your actions consistently prioritise collaboration or calmness, those are your actual values.

Your core values in business don’t need to impress anyone. They need to be yours.

And when you live by them, you’ll feel aligned, energised, and authentic.

 

 

Five Ways to Put Your Core Values into Practice

Once you’ve identified your values, the next step is living them: consistently.

Here’s how:

#1. Use Them to Prioritise

When faced with a decision, check: Does this align with my values?

#2. Check Your Calendar

Does your schedule reflect your values? If not, it’s time to rebalance.

#3. Discuss Them With Your Team

Use team check-ins or one-on-ones to discuss values, what matters to each person, and how they manifest at work.

#4. Reflect Quarterly

Ask yourself: Did I live my values this quarter? What felt aligned? What didn’t?

#5. Be Honest When You Fall Short

We all do. That’s why values matter; they help us reset and realign when we drift off course.

 

Final Thought: Leadership Starts With Clarity

True leadership doesn’t start with a title; it starts with knowing what you stand for.

When you lead from your core values in business, you lead with consistency, integrity, and impact. And when teams explore their values together, something powerful happens: connection deepens, alignment increases, and performance follows.

If you’d like to uncover your own values or run a facilitated values session with your team, download the free Core Values Toolkit or get in touch.

Because when you lead from your values, everything changes.

Your coach,

#LeadOn