Unlocking Your Values in the Workplace for Greater Success
Our core values are more than just a checklist. They’re what makes us who we are. They are what drives us, shaping our decisions, actions, and satisfaction – especially at work. Yet, many of us fail to align these values with our professional lives intentionally.
Why is that?
The constant busyness in the hustle society often hinders personal growth. My study titled "The State of Workplace Busyness" found that 94% of people feel too busy to focus on what truly matters, and this can negatively impact their work life. This disconnect between personal and professional living can lead to unfulfilled individuals and organizations that struggle with employee engagement.
But here’s the good news: unlocking your core values is achievable and life-changing for everyone. Once you align your professional work with your personal principles, you will be set on a path to deeper fulfillment and next-level success—for yourself and your organization.
Why Unlocking Core Values Matters
Core values serve as our true north; our compass to success. Without them, we’re navigating the world blindly. Our values give us the strength us to make decisions that resonate personally, create meaningful connections, and, ultimately, find joy in what we do.
When I left my high-pressure corporate job during my mother’s illness, I wasn’t simply stepping away from busyness. I was actively reconnecting with the values that mattered most to me: family and love.
This wasn’t an easy decision at the time, but it profoundly shifted my life’s trajectory. When I returned to work, it helped me create a career built on alignment and purpose rather than stress and misalignment. And I was able to spend time with my mother, uninterrupted, for the time she had left on this Earth.
The Barriers to Core Value Connection
Why do people struggle to connect with their core values? Because they have never stopped to officially declare them. Society glorifies busyness, encouraging us to wear it as a badge of honor. This attitude sidelines our internal fulfillment, so naturally, we start living for others other than ourselves.
Lack of Reflection
Most people get caught up in the whirlwind of their busy schedule that they rarely have the time to self-reflect on what matters to them. That was me in my corporate days, endlessly chasing promotions and new accolades, yet never feeling truly grounded. It was only during my mother’s illness that I realized I had ignored what truly mattered all along.
Cultural Pressure to Prioritize Achievement Over Integrity
We are conditioned to equate success with titles, salaries, and recognition. Employees can feel disengaged if their jobs don’t align with their personal values, which can lead to quiet-quitting. This disconnect causes lack of motivation and leaves people questioning their worth, both in the office and at home.
Unclear or Conflicting Workplace Values
Even organizations with stated values often fail to translate them into action. Employees are left confused, wondering how their principles fit within the larger mission, especially if they were sold on a “dream job” when first hired.
How To Discover Your Core Values
Unlocking core values starts with YOU. Here’s the bottom line—we can’t expect our organizations to know our values until we do. Self-awareness and action are essential.
1. Taking Time to Define Your Core Values
Sit with yourself for 10 minutes and reflect on what drives you. Is it family? Community? Creativity? List your non-negotiables for work and life. After major decisions, ask yourself, “Does this align with the life I want to live?”
When I left the corporate world, it wasn’t just about exiting the rat race. It was about creating a life that reflected the values I’d neglected for so long. I wanted growth, authenticity, and balance—not just career milestones.
2. Assessing Alignment Between Core Values and Work
Once you’ve discovered your values, evaluate your current job or career path. Are they in sync? Check in with yourself after each major task or decision and ask, “Is this serving my bigger purpose?” then act accordingly to make sure it is aligned with your values.
3. Advocating for Your Values at Work
Communicating your needs effectively is one of the most challenging yet most rewarding steps. I’ve seen individuals like Amanda, a former colleague, reimagine their professional roles by openly advocating for changes that reflected their values.
After scaling back her work hours to spend time with her family, Amanda’s renewed clarity about her own values transformed her contributions and leadership to her professional job and her personal life.
Applying the Values Quadrant to Your Life and Career
The Values Quadrant is a practical framework I created that simplifies the process of aligning your personal and professional life. It focuses on four key areas that can guide you toward a more purposeful and fulfilling career: Connection, Energy, Curiosity, and Authenticity. Regularly reflecting on these quadrants can align your decisions, actions, and priorities with what truly matters.
Actionable Steps to Apply the Values Quadrant
Connection: Strengthen your relationships by intentionally checking in with colleagues and loved ones. For example, set a reminder to express gratitude to someone who’s positively impacted your day.
Energy: Audit where your time and energy go throughout the week. Are these activities driving you toward your core values? Are you participating in a lot of low-value transactions? If not, consider delegating or cutting back on energy-draining tasks.
Curiosity: Dedicate time for exploration and innovation, such as trying a new project or learning a skill that excites you. Ask yourself, “What new ideas can I bring to my work that align with my values?”
Authenticity: Use daily or weekly self-checks to ensure your choices reflect who you are at your core. Before saying “yes” to commitments, ask, “Does this align with my priorities and values?”
Your Core Values Can Lead You To Happiness & Success
Unlocking your core values isn’t just a career move. It’s a life move. Whether you’re leading a team or leading yourself, connecting with what matters most sparks clarity, joy, and fulfillment, and it’s contagious. Imagine organizations where every individual brings their whole, authentic self to work. That’s the kind of transformation we need.
Workplace leaders: are you ready to take the first step to unlocking the core values of your employees? Contact me today for your organization and start creating a values-driven culture that thrives today.
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