core values

What are core values

Core values are the fundamental beliefs of a person or organisation. These guiding principles dictate behaviour and can help people understand the difference between right and wrong. Core values also help companies to determine if they are on the right path and fulfilling their goals by creating an unwavering guide.

Business Core Values

Companies can have core values as well. These are the guiding principles that help to define how the corporation should behave in business and perhaps beyond, if they have an additional mission to serve the community. Core values are usually expressed in the corporation's mission statement.

Some examples of core values for a company include:

• A commitment to sustainability and to acting in an environmentally friendly way. Companies like Patagonia and Ben & Jerry's have environmental sustainability as a core value.
• A commitment to innovation and excellence. Apple Computer is perhaps best known for having a commitment to innovation as a core value. This is embodied by their "Think Different" motto.
• A commitment to doing good for the whole. Google, for example, believes in making a great search engine and building a great company without being evil.
• A commitment to helping those less fortunate. TOMS shoe company gives away a pair of shoes to a needy person for every pair it sells in an effort to alleviate poverty and make life better for others.
• A commitment to building strong communities. Shell oil company donates millions of dollars to the University of Texas to improve student education and to match employee charitable donations.

As you can see, often the core values that companies have are similar to those that individuals might choose as guiding principles as well.

An Importance of Core Values

There are countless types of core values, as you can see, so you will need to choose the ones that are right for you or your organisation. It's natural to want to choose a long list of core values in an effort to be the best you can be, but limiting your selection to two or three helps you focus on your mission in life without becoming distracted.

Here are some examples of core values from which you may wish to choose:

• Dependability
• Reliability
• Loyalty
• Commitment
• Open-mindedness
• Consistency
• Honesty
• Efficiency
• Innovation
• Creativity
• Good humour
• Compassion
• Spirit of adventure
• Motivation
• Positivist
• Optimism
• Passion
• Respect
• Fitness
• Courage
• Education
• Perseverance
• Patriotism
• Service to others
• Environmentalism

Identifying Core Values

While some people or organisations might expressly share their core values, often the best way to identify these values is to watch how they behave. For example, a tobacco company that emphasises profits over public health acts in a way that is not consistent with a stated core value of caring for others.

No company will advertise negative core values, of course, but you can judge what really lies at the heart of a business' mission by examining how they act when it counts. A core value is only true if it has an active influence and if the people or company manage to live by it, at least most of the time.

It's also important to remember that individuals don't necessarily choose their core values. Many people have these values instilled in them by the way their parents and the community around them. You may already live by strong core values without realizing it.

To get a sense of what your core values are, ask yourself what activities bring you the most joy, or what you couldn't live without. What gives your life meaning or what do you want to achieve? If you can articulate those answers, you'll likely see a pattern that you can boil down into a single concept, such as a consistently positive attitude or using your creativity to make the world a better place.