Most of us operate in our daily lives based on our to-do lists or things that need to get done. But deeper, we have a set of core values that drive what we do.
In this article, we’ll clarify what core values are, give you a list of all the key values, and offer you a step-by-step process to finding your core values for your personal life, professional life, and relationships.
Watch our video below to discover your core values:
What Are Core Values?
Core values are an individual or organization’s fundamental beliefs and highest priorities that drive their behavior.
You can think of core values as an internal compass of principles that drive a person’s or organization’s decisions.
It’s wonderful to identify the core values driving you and try to unlock the core values driving the important people in your life.
Defining your personal values can help shape who you are and what you do. When faced with certain decisions, you can refer back to core values to ensure that you act according to what truly matters to you.
From the outside, people often perceive core values as your character or morality. These beliefs dig down to the very root of our identity and steer us in the direction that feels aligned with who we truly are.
If you feel stuck trying to figure out what is best for you, honing in on your core values could help you:
- Feel more confident in your decisions
- Listen to your intuition or “gut feeling”
- Have more conviction in your daily life
- Define your version of success
- Make choices that match your overall vision
Your values are ultimately what drive your identity and your decisions.
What is An Example of a Core Value?
Integrity, kindness, honesty, and financial security are typical examples of personal core values. Others often see these values as your character traits. For example, someone who is known for always doing the right thing likely values integrity.
Suppose you have a core value of freedom. In that case, you might avoid traditional work and instead work as an entrepreneur–even if this means working longer hours and having more financial uncertainty.
Another common example relates to money. Pretend that your close friend has a fancy car. When you ride in the car with them, you think, “Wow, someday I am going to buy myself one of these!”
But when you get home, remember that you genuinely value financial security for your family more than flashy material items. Even if you had the money to buy that car, you wouldn’t do it because it doesn’t align with your deeper principles about life.
Master Core Values List
As proven, personal values affect nearly every decision you make, from your relationships to your profession to the things you buy. While your childhood may have engrained some values in you, your thoughts and actions can also consciously form others. Scientists have found that unconscious beliefs impact our actions.
Use these master lists of values to narrow down what matters most to you. We’ve included personal values, relationship values, work values, ethical values, and community values.
List of Core Values in Work
Certain principles guide the type of work you pursue, whether you’re an entrepreneur, employee, or freelancer. Defining your company’s core values can shape your core mission behind selling products or services. They define why and how they conduct business. On a personal level, these values help you determine the broader vision of your career and your daily performance in the workplace.
- Accountability
- Achievement
- Adaptability
- Business Acumen
- Charisma
- Coaching
- Collaboration
- Consistency
- Constructive Criticism
- Credibility
- Customer Focus
- Dedication to the Excellence
- Dependability
- Diversity
- Dynamic Responses
- Encouragement
- Enjoyment
- Enthusiasm
- Entrepreneurship
- Ethical Leadership
- Expertise Development
- Fame
- Fast Pace
- Feedback
- Focus
- Growth Mindset
- Hard Work Ethic
- Imagination
- Ingenuity
- Initiative
- Innovation
- Leadership
- Learning From Mistakes
- Management
- Mentorship
- Operational Effectiveness
- Organization
- Persistence
- Positive Impact
- Power
- Problem-Solving
- Professional Growth
- Professional Integrity
- Professionalism
- Profit
- Punctuality
- Quality
- Resilience
- Resourcefulness
- Responsibility
- Self-Development
- Self-Motivation
- Service to Others
- Skill Mastery
- Strategic Vision
- Thinking outside the box
- Tidiness
- Timeliness
- Trial and Error
- Versatility
- Work Ethos
- Work Smarter, Not Harder
- Work-Life Balance
List of Personal Core Values for Life
Whether you’re setting financial goals or taking a big step in your family life, knowing your values will ensure that each decision fits your overall mission. These values are specific to your personal life:
- Adventure
- Alone Time
- Altruism
- Animal Rights
- Anti-Racism
- Artistry
- Awareness
- Balance
- Change the World
- Chasing Your Dreams
- Cleverness
- Comedy
- Community
- Conformity
- Consciousness
- Contentment
- Creativity
- Curiosity
- Entertainment
- Environmental Protection
- Exhilaration
- Existential Wisdom
- Experiential Learning
- Experimentation
- Exploration
- Extraordinary Experiences
- Family First
- Financial Security
- Finesse
- Free Time
- Freedom
- Friendship
- Going with the Flow
- Happiness
- Health and Fitness
- Holistic Well-being
- Implementation
- Inner Truth
- Inspire Others
- Laughter
- Leisure
- Life Exploration
- Life Purpose
- Lifelong Adventure
- Liveliness
- Modesty
- Natural Living
- Non-Conformity
- Non-Violence
- Novelty
- Open-Mindedness
- Originality
- Peace of Mind
- Personal Development
- Personal Expression
- Personal Fulfillment
- Personal Legacy
- Positive Attitude
- Pride in Your Work
- Protecting Others
- Reliability
- Religion
- Respect
- Righteousness
- Saving Money
- Self-Control
- Self-Discipline
- Self-Preservation
- Social Justice
- Socializing
- Spiritual Growth
- Spontaneity
- Strength
- This Too Shall Pass
- Travel
- Trust Your Gut
- Understanding
- Vivaciousness
- Wellness
- Wit
One of the best ways to know if you’ve set the right goals for yourself is if they match your personal values. This ensures that you are building a life around who you want to be.
If you’d like more tips on how to set the right goals, you might enjoy this free training.
How To Set Better Goals Using Science
Do you set the same goals over and over again? If you’re not achieving your goals – it’s not your fault!
Let me show you the science-based goal-setting framework to help you achieve your biggest goals.
List of Core Values in Relationships
Relationships are scientifically proven to improve our happiness, health, and longevity. However, a happy relationship must be founded on similar values for two people to thrive together. Use these values to define what is most important to you in a friend or significant other.
- Affection
- Appreciation
- Boundaries
- Clear Communication
- Commitment
- Confidence
- Cooperation
- Competitiveness
- Dedication
- Deep Connections
- Emotional Intelligence
- Emotional Support
- Equal Relationship
- Faithfulness
- Fidelity
- Forgiveness
- Generosity
- Gentleness
- Gift-Giving
- Harmonious Living
- Heartfelt Connection
- Intimacy
- Listening
- Loyal Companionship
- Mutual Respect
- Mutual Support
- Nurturing Nature
- Passion
- Patience
- Playfulness
- Quality Time
- Reciprocity
- Romance
- Romantic Devotion
- Shared Values
- Showing Appreciation
- Silliness
- Soulful Bonding
- Stability
- Support
- Sweetness
- Symbiosis
- Thoughtfulness
- Traditional Gender Roles
- Transparency
- Trustworthiness
- Unconditional Love
- Vulnerability
- Warmth
If you’re not sure, this article can also help you get a sense of the types of love languages you value in your relationships.
List of Ethical Core Values
Biologists have found that the capacity for morality separates humans from animals. Animals cannot differentiate between right and wrong, but humans have the power to use their core values to make moral judgments. To do so, each individual must decide what they value most in life. Here are the most fundamental ethics that people identify with:
- Abundance
- Acceptance
- Accuracy
- Autonomy
- Beauty
- Bliss
- Boldness
- Bravery
- Calmness
- Capitalism
- Change
- Charity
- Clarity
- Cleanliness
- Compassion
- Conscientiousness
- Courage
- Decisiveness
- Efficiency
- Ethical Awareness
- Fairness
- Faith
- Friendliness
- Fun
- Goodness
- Gracefulness
- Gratitude
- Honesty
- Honor
- Honorable Conduct
- Hope
- Humility
- Humor
- Independence
- Influence
- Insightfulness
- Integrity
- Intuition
- Joy
- Justice
- Kindness
- Knowledge
- Lawfulness
- Moral Courage
- Nobility
- Openness
- Optimism
- Peacefulness
- Principled
- Promise-keeping
- Prosperity
- Prudence
- Rectitude
- Respect
- Righteousness
- Self-love
- Selflessness
- Sincerity
- Spirituality
- Success
- Veracity
- Virtuousness
- Wealth
- Wisdom
List of Community and Social Core Values
If you are a community builder of any kind, then it’s important to think about what values will bind your community together. Take inspiration from this list!
- Accessibility
- Caring
- Civic Engagement
- Civic Pride
- Collective Well-being
- Communal Prosperity
- Community Activism
- Community Resilience
- Connection
- Consent
- Conservation
- Cultural Harmony
- Dialogue
- Dignity
- Empathy
- Empowerment
- Engagement
- Equality
- Flexibility
- Grassroots Empowerment
- Growth
- Harmony
- Heritage
- Inclusive Policies
- Inclusivity
- Inspiration
- Love of Learning
- Neighborly Support
- Participation
- Pro-activity
- Safety
- Social Cohesion
- Social Responsibility
- Solidarity
- Stewardship
- Sustainability
- Synergy
- Teamwork
- Tolerance
- Tradition
- Unity
- Vitality
- Volunteerism
- Welcoming
How Do I Identify My Core Values?
Making a list of your core values can help you determine who and what you want in your life. When your path becomes unclear, or you face a challenging situation, you can refer back to your core values and ask, “Is this truly aligned with who I am?”
Your list of core values ultimately answers the question: What do I value most in this world?
To figure out your “true north,” try the CORE value exercise:
- Contemplation: Go somewhere quiet, such as a meditative space or a natural area where you can reflect in silence. Turn off your phone and bring a notebook so you can focus. Begin by jotting down random things that come to mind when you ask yourself, “What do I value most in life?”
- Openness: On the next page, journal or reflect for a moment on the topic of authenticity.
Ask yourself, “When do I feel most like myself?” Is it when you’re with certain people or doing certain things? Certain memories might come up when you really felt like yourself.
You should also reflect on when you feel unaligned with yourself. What feelings are triggered in certain situations that make you betray or act differently to fit in? Be honest with yourself and dig into the underlying motivations behind that self-betrayal. Embracing your authentic self is a strong representation of your core values.
- Respect: Think about who you admire and respect most in this world. Perhaps it’s a parent, an author, or a celebrity public figure. Write down the names of 3 people you highly respect. Then, jot down words next to their names that describe why you look up to them.
For example, if you highly respect Denzel Washington, it may be because he gives back to his community and stays humble despite his fame. These are key clues that you value generosity and humility.
- Excitement: Think about what most inspires you to take action. Are you motivated by the excitement of earning enough money to help your parents buy a house to retire in? Or do you feel more inspired by the idea of having your work affect the lives of as many people as possible? Expressing your inner drive can help you tap into what pushes you forward. Is it money, fame, security, impact, charity, or something else?
Once you complete the exercise, grab a highlighter and circle the top 5 core values that feel most aligned with who you are.
Then, rank your values from 1-5, where 1 is the most important.
And lastly, write a short sentence on what each value means to you.
Make a wallet card, phone wallpaper, or other reminder that you can regularly see to guide you in tough decisions.
How to Use Core Values in Your Job Search Process
When you bring your core values into your job search, you increase the likelihood that you’ll find a role that resonates with your deepest beliefs and aspirations. The ideal is to find a workplace that feels like home, where your values aren’t just accepted but celebrated.
And when you bring your values into your application, you are signaling to employers that you’re more than just competent; you are a great match for the company culture.
Here are a few tips to think about.
1) Incorporate core values into your resume.
Adding your core values to your resume can give potential employers a glimpse into who you are beyond your skills and experience.
2) Align your core values with your prospective employers during the job search.
When looking for a job, make sure to scan through each potential employer’s value list.
You don’t need to match values 100%. But if, for example, “work-life balance” is a huge value of yours, and a company has a core value of “working around the clock,” then this may be a sign that this company isn’t a value fit.
3) Discuss core values during interviews to make a meaningful impression.
When applying for a company, look at their values page. Or if they don’t have one, try to ascertain their top 5 values from their mission statement and vision statement.
Then, think about which of their values you also hold dear. Prepare to speak to those values during your interview.
Do Values Come From Choice of Upbringing?
Many values may be ingrained in you from your upbringing, while others may have been established on your own. Values become especially evident when you meet someone raised entirely different from you.
For example…
- Someone raised to value family traditions may always eat dinner around the table. On the other hand, a family who values sports and entertainment may spend their evenings and holidays eating dinner on the couch.
- A person raised to value charity may donate their extra money to a charitable cause. In contrast, someone who values frugality and financial independence may think putting their extra money in a savings account is best.
- Someone who values beauty will spend their money on clothing or makeup, while someone who values health will budget more for fresh food and supplements.
Want to learn more about environment versus genetics? Learn the science behind it: Nature vs. Nurture Debate: What Really Matters in Psychology
How to Understand Someone Else’s Core Values
To understand someone’s core values, you can also look at how they make big life decisions.
For example, a person who values freedom and adventure spends much of their time and money on travel. Maybe they decide not to have children or buy a house because they prefer to live as a digital nomad traveling the world.
However, someone who deeply values stability, security, and routine will craft their life differently. They may want to settle down, get married, and raise children in a nice neighborhood while working a corporate job. While they may vacation, they are less likely to make radical or spontaneous travel decisions like the example above.
This all comes down to what people want most out of life. None of these examples are right or wrong. Instead, they illuminate how different values play out in people’s daily decisions. Each person will follow their unique path based on their core values!And, each person should follow their core values that make them the best version of themselves. Read on to find out more: 20 Steps to Become the Best Version of Yourself in 2024
Understanding Value Languages
A value language is what drives someone to make life choices, what gets them up in the morning, and informs their goals and actions.
If you want to understand someone you have to know what drives them, what they want and what they cherish.
Understanding value languages can enhance your interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence. It can help you:
- Predict someone’s behavior or choices
- Understand why some people drive you crazy—they speak a different value language!
- Learn that most misunderstandings stem from simple differences in what people value
- Know how to win someone over by appealing to what they value, instead of what you value
The 10 Value Languages
- Image: People who value image, beauty, or aesthetic appearance above all else. They invest heavily in their appearance and may prioritize physical attractiveness in others. They might spend considerable time and money on clothes, beauty regimes, or even plastic surgery.
- Money: Those who are primarily motivated by financial gain. They may be driven by the desire for wealth, financial security, or material possessions. This can manifest as being overly frugal or constantly seeking ways to increase their wealth.
- Power: People who seek authority (like being a leader), dominance, and the ability to influence others. They often strive for leadership positions and enjoy having control over situations. They might assert dominance inappropriately or frequently mention their titles or achievements.
- Fame: Those motivated by popularity, legacy, and notoriety. They may seek the spotlight and work hard to be recognized or remembered. This is increasingly common in the age of social media and reality TV.
- Perfection: People who strive to be as close as possible to what they deem ideal. They often set high standards for themselves and others, and may struggle with perfectionism. This can manifest as being a “people-pleaser” or putting extreme pressure on oneself to appear in control.
- Knowledge: Those who value information and being “in the know.” They are often lifelong learners who pride themselves on their expertise or intellectual capabilities. They might be seen as “know-it-alls” who always have an opinion backed by some obscure fact.
- Experience: People who prioritize exciting and impressive experiences. They may be adventure-seekers or those who value a diverse range of life experiences. They often talk about their travels, adventures, or unique experiences.
- Uniqueness: Those who love to be brazen, radical, and different. They often resist conformity and take pride in standing out from the crowd. They might break rules or choose activities and clothing for shock value.
- Relationships: People who place importance on social connections and networks. They prioritize building and maintaining strong personal or professional relationships. They often name-drop and have extensive social media networks.
- Control: Those who want to regulate both their internal and external environments. They may struggle with uncertainty and prefer situations where they can maintain a high degree of control. This can manifest as micromanaging or being unwilling to delegate tasks.
Corporate Core Values
Companies also use core values, which are fundamental to shaping their organizational culture, guiding decision-making processes, and defining their brand identity. For a company, core values usually go alongside a mission statement and a vision statement. They serve as pillars for the company culture and help align the company toward its goals.
When effectively implemented, corporate core values can drive employee engagement, attract like-minded talent, and even influence customer loyalty.
For example, Meta’s core values1https://www.metacareers.com/culture/ are:
- Move fast
- Focus on long-term impact
- Build awesome things
- Live in the future
- Be direct and respect your colleagues
- Meta, metamates, me (which refers to employees commitment to the company and each other)
When you read through these core values, you might see that they fit your perception of what Meta is trying to do: create rapid growth in technology.
As another example, here are YouTube’s core values2https://socialimpact.youtube.com/about/ :
- Freedom of Expression
- Freedom of Information
- Freedom of Opportunity (for creators)
- Freedom to Belong
These are very different from Meta’s values. But they seem to fit YouTube reasonably well. YouTube is a place where information is everywhere, there’s tons of expression, people find communities, and anyone can put up a video.
As one last example, let’s look at Ben and Jerry’s3https://www.benjerry.com/values . Despite being an ice cream company, their core values are:
- Human Rights & Dignity
- Social & Economic Justice
- Environmental Protection, Restoration, & Regeneration
Very different from Meta and YouTube! But you can imagine that working at Ben and Jerry’s would be much more oriented toward activism.
If you work at a company, how can you use your core values to shape your company culture?
Four Great Books You Can Read on Core Values
The Road to Character by David Brooks
This book explores core values by presenting biographical sketches of historical figures who exemplified strong character. Brooks offers insights on how to cultivate moral virtues like humility, self-discipline, and kindness, encouraging readers to focus on character development rather than just achievement.
The Power of Purpose by Richard J. Leider
This guide helps readers discover their core values and life purpose through exercises for self-reflection and identifying personal passions. Leider discusses how to align career and life choices with one’s values and explores the connection between purpose, values, and overall life satisfaction.
The Moral Compass: Stories for a Life’s Journey by William J. Bennett
This compilation of stories, poems, and parables from various cultures and traditions is organized around themes like self-discipline, compassion, and responsibility. Bennett aims to inspire readers to reflect on their own values and moral choices, including brief introductions to each story highlighting its moral lessons.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
A classic in the self-help genre, Covey outlines seven principles for personal and professional development, emphasizing the importance of aligning one’s life with ethical values. The book introduces concepts like “begin with the end in mind” and “seek first to understand, then to be understood,” providing practical exercises for implementing these habits in daily life.
Inspiring Core Values Quotes to Live By
- “When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” – Roy E. Disney
- “Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny.” – Mahatma Gandhi
- “If you don’t stick to your values when they are being tested, they’re not values: they’re hobbies.” – Jon Stewart
- “Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.” – Dalai Lama
- “The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.” – Kobe Bryant
- “Your core values are the deeply held beliefs that authentically describe your soul.” – John C. Maxwell
- “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.” – Thomas Jefferson
- “Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” – Albert Einstein
- “The aim of education is the knowledge, not of facts, but of values.” – William S. Burroughs
- “Values are like fingerprints. Nobody’s are the same, but you leave ’em all over everything you do.” – Elvis Presley
Core Values FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Core values are fundamental beliefs that guide a person’s or organization’s behavior and decision-making. They represent what is most important and serve as an internal compass for navigating life’s choices. Examples include honesty, compassion, innovation, or integrity. Core values shape identity, influence actions, and determine priorities in both personal and professional contexts.
Core values are crucial because they provide clarity and consistency in decision-making. They help you stay true to yourself, even in challenging situations. By understanding your core values, you can make choices that lead to greater fulfillment and authenticity in your personal and professional life. They also serve as a foundation for setting meaningful goals and building strong relationships with like-minded individuals or organizations. In essence, core values act as a filter, helping you focus on what truly matters to you.
Core values are at the root of who you are, but that doesn’t mean they are entirely unchangeable. Drastic personal transformation or unsettling changes in one’s life can warrant reevaluating your established values. However, changing those values may require deep self-reflection, personal growth, and daily practice to rewire old habits.
Some people have negative core beliefs about themselves and others. For example, they may fundamentally believe, “I am not good enough,” “the world is dangerous,” or “all men/women are bad.” They may also have negative values that make them believe lying, cheating, or stealing are OK. When these values become engrained in someone’s psyche, it can lead to all sorts of problems in their life. However, personal development and shifting your priorities in life can help you change your values to be more aligned with the best version of yourself.
Yes, culture can significantly influence core values, as cultural norms and practices often shape an individual’s beliefs and priorities. The values promoted by a person’s cultural background can deeply impact their personal value system.
Core values are pivotal in personal development because they provide a foundational framework for decision-making and behavior. They guide personal growth and help individuals align their actions with their beliefs and goals.
Yes, core values can change over time as individuals encounter new experiences, challenges, and perspectives. Life events and personal growth often lead to the evolution or refinement of one’s core values.
Core Values are Your North Star in Life
Sometimes, the broad vision of your life can be clouded by temptations or distractions. Without clear values, it can feel like navigating through a dark, stormy sea. You have no moral grounds where you can firmly root your feet as you make decisions regarding your relationships, career, and life goals.
Defining your core values is essential for guiding you through uncertain times. Deep down, you probably already know what you value, but putting it into words can help give you even more clarity as you move forward.
As a quick reminder, use the CORE value exercise to find your “true north”:
- Contemplation: Go somewhere quiet to reflect on what you value most in life. Take mental notes or jot down your thoughts in a notebook.
- Openness: Ask yourself— When do you feel the most open to being your authentic self? What people or situations make you feel alive? Alternatively, when do you feel drained?
- Respect: Think about who you admire the most and why. This can clue you into particular values you may share with people you look up to.
- Excitement: Reflect on what makes you feel the most inspired. What pushes you to move forward? Is it impact, fame, fortune, charity, family, or all of the above?
At the end of the exercise, narrow down your 3-5 most important core values and keep them in mind as you move through life. Notice when you are in alignment with your values versus when you are betraying your core.
From Values to Vision: Charting Your Path
Ultimately, understanding what people value is the secret to mastering people skills and succeeding in business or life.
By identifying your own core values and recognizing the value languages of others, you can navigate personal and professional relationships more effectively, make decisions that align with your true self, and create a life that feels authentic and fulfilling.Now that you’ve identified your core values, take the next step by crafting your personal value statement. Learn how to articulate your beliefs and priorities in a clear, compelling way by reading our article on tips to ace your personal value statement!
Article sources
- https://www.metacareers.com/culture/
- https://socialimpact.youtube.com/about/
- https://www.benjerry.com/values
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