Defining Your Core Values: The Key to Leadership Excellence

Defining Your Core Values: The Key to Leadership Excellence

As a CEO, I’ve learned that clarity of core values is one of the most powerful tools for both personal and organizational success. Your core values define who you are, guide your decisions, and shape the culture of your business. Without them, you risk navigating your leadership journey without a compass.

In this post, I’ll walk you through why core values matter, how to define them, and how to align your life and leadership around them to create a legacy that lasts.

Why Core Values Matter

1. They Define You

Your core values are your foundation. They represent what you stand for, how you approach challenges, and what matters most in your life and work.

2. They Drive Decision-Making

When you’re faced with tough choices, core values act as a guide, helping you make decisions with confidence and alignment.

3. They Shape Your Business

In organizations, core values define the culture, attract like-minded employees and customers, and inform hiring, firing, and recognition practices.

4. They Inspire Others

As a leader, your core values inspire your team, foster trust, and create a shared sense of purpose.

How to Define Your Core Values

Ask Yourself These Questions:

1. What is most important to me?
2. What do I want my life to stand for?
3. What are the core philosophies that drive my everyday decisions?
4. If no one else was watching, would these values still be important to me?

Choose Your Top 5 Core Values

Using your answers, narrow down your values to five that resonate most deeply with you. 

Examples of core values include:

• Ambition: Pursuing goals with determination
• Integrity: Acting according to principles
• Compassion: Understanding and caring for others
• Health: Prioritizing physical and mental wellness
• Environmental Consciousness: Caring for nature

Need help? Check out this comprehensive list of 250 core values here.

Living Your Core Values

Once you’ve defined your values, it’s time to integrate them into your life and leadership. Communicate your values to family, friends, and colleagues at least five times in different settings. This process helps refine your understanding and commitment.

1. Write 3-7 Rules for Each Value

Define how each value translates into action. 

For example:

1. Integrity:

• Always tell the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.
• Keep promises or communicate promptly if circumstances change.
• Lead by example, showing consistency between words and actions. 

2. Set Measurable Goals

For each core value, set two specific, actionable goals for the next three months.

For example:

1. Core Value: Health

• Goal 1: Exercise four times per week for 30 minutes.
• Goal 2: Meditate daily for 10 minutes to improve mental wellness.

3. Track Your Progress

Define the actions, resources, and accountability measures you’ll use. Choose an accountability partner—someone you trust, like a colleague, mentor, or family member. Schedule three monthly meetings to review your progress on living your values. Compare how you currently live your values with how you aspire to embody them. Identify gaps and patterns to fine-tune, and then keep pursuing them.

Example of a Core Value in Action

1. Core Value: Integrity

Rules:

• Always operate with transparency in business decisions.
• Own mistakes and work to correct them.
• Hold yourself and your team accountable.

Goals:

• Host monthly team meetings to review ethical practices and recognize employees demonstrating integrity.
• Publish an annual transparency report for stakeholders.

Conclusion

Defining and living your core values is a transformative journey that strengthens your leadership, fosters personal growth, and leaves an enduring impact on those around you. So ask yourself what truly matters. Set actionable goals. Share your journey with an accountability partner. Your legacy as a leader begins with the values you choose to embody. 

Start today by trying this bonus activity below to envision a life lived in full alignment with your core values.

Bonus Activity:

Imagine it’s your 100th birthday. Loved ones, colleagues, and mentees are celebrating your impact.

• What do you hope they say about your leadership and character?
• How do you want your values to have inspired others?

Write a tribute that encapsulates your legacy and use it to reflect on what you can do today to start building that legacy.

YOUR JOURNEY STARTS TODAY

Isn’t it time you had an advisory team that truly elevates you!