Core Values Examples for the Workplace (With Tips and FAQs)

Updated November 25, 2022

Core values are a person's or company's core beliefs. These guiding principles influence conduct and can help individuals decide what's acceptable and not acceptable behaviour. Exploring core values examples can help you define personal core values for your life and career. In this article, we discuss what core values are and highlight common core values examples for the workplace with descriptions, discuss how to identify your personal core values, and answer FAQs about core values.

What are the benefits of core values examples?

Core values are a compilation of core beliefs, principles, or behaviours that govern your personal and professional behaviour. Reviewing core values examples can help you define your own. Your own personal core values can help you allocate your resources, make major decisions, and develop yourself personally and professionally. Individuals and businesses choose up to 10 core principles to guide their recruitment and retention procedures, daily business operations, and communication methods. These values can influence how individuals interact, the ethics of a person's or business's work, or the responsibilities that people undertake in their personal and professional lives.

Defining your personal or your company's core values can provide structure and direction, particularly when you're confronted with a tough decision or conflict. For example, if honesty is one of your fundamental principles, you may consider it when determining whether to keep a certain piece of information hidden or not.

Common examples of workplace core values with descriptions

Workplace values shape the attitudes and behaviours you expect to see in your team members. These principles may include treating people with respect, fulfilling commitments, demonstrating personal accountability, and delivering superior customer service. Here are some examples of core values for the workplace:

Integrity

Integrity in the workplace can take various forms, but it most commonly relates to possessing characteristics and work ethics such as good judgment, honesty, reliability, and loyalty. Integrity requires you to do the right thing, even when no one is watching. You may appreciate truthfulness, openness, and a dedication to doing what is best for your clients, customers, colleagues, and organization.

If you work for a company that appreciates openness, you may expect to be notified of company-wide events. You may also express your opinions about the organization's objectives, direction, choices, financial statements, achievements, and failures. Additionally, you can learn about client and customer success stories as well as the efforts of employees in such an atmosphere.

Autonomy

The capacity to work in a manner that promotes peak performance is something that both you and the organization may value. You may like to feel empowered when you can make independent decisions and act on them. Numerous employers may let you work at your own pace and in your own way as long as you meet specified performance standards.

If you work in a company that values autonomy, you can prepare to take some calculated risks. You are more likely to discover and resolve issues when you feel confident making judgments without the supervision of a superior. Employees that develop in this empowering atmosphere are likely to achieve success.

Growth

Many individuals and corporations think a company's growth depends on the team's professional development. Achieving growth requires a relentless effort to improve both yourself and the organization. This can result in mutual success. If you prioritize professional development, you may want to seek a firm that invests in its employees and encourages personal and professional development.

Service

To be service-minded or client-focused suggests that you want to provide your clientele with a high-quality experience. You can extend this value to include community and team support. Valuing service involves a commitment to provide a meaningful experience for those you serve and help.

Collaboration

If your company highly values collaboration, they may ask people to work in teams, develop products within teams, and think of departments in terms of teams. When a company emphasizes connections and a collaborative approach, it may support employee activities and events. This strategy develops even stronger connections between employees.

Identifying your personal core values

If you're unclear about your core values, it may be beneficial to reflect on what matters to you. It may take some introspection to clearly define your core values, so be patient and conscious of what inspires and drives your thoughts and actions. Consider your answers to the following questions to get a sense of your core values:

What kind of culture do you want to work in?
What environment, settings, or resources are necessary for you to do your best work?
What qualities do you feel make strong, healthy relationships?
What qualities do you admire most in your role models?
What motivates you?
What qualities do you wish to develop in yourself professionally and personally?
What are your future goals? What qualities can it take to achieve them?

Consider these and other questions to help you determine which core values to emphasize during your job hunt, on the job, and in life. You may use them to help you achieve your job objectives. Another exercise to try is printing a physical copy of the list of core values and categorizing them as follows: very important, important, and not important. Then, narrow your list down to your top three to six "important" values.

How to use your core values

Once you've established a few priority values, you may use them in a number of ways:

1. Include core values in your resume

It may be beneficial to include a section in your resume on your core values that are relevant to the position you're applying for. Employers can find it helpful to know how you prefer to do business, particularly if you are new to the job market or have limited professional experience. If you do have work experience, you may integrate core values into specific examples of successes from past positions.

2. Align your core values when searching for jobs

Identify employers that fit with the sort of work you want to perform, the culture you want to be a part of, and the purpose you want to pursue. Examine the job description carefully to determine which of your core values might be appropriate and beneficial for the role. You can conduct research on the organization to ensure that its goals and core values align with yours.

3. Discuss your core values during interviews

During interviews, companies may ask about the qualities that are most important to you. These might include questions such as "What inspires you?", "What sort of employee are you?", or "How did you learn about this position?". Your core values can help you answer these questions and describe your biggest workplace successes. For example, increasing productivity by 15% in a former role demonstrates your high regard for time and resource management.

4. Use core values for career planning

You can use your core values to continue advancing in your role. Clearly defining your goals can help you make important decisions about your career, like which industry you want to be in or what short-term and long-term goals to set. Your organization's workplace values help to create its culture and define what matters most to your organization.

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FAQs about personal core values

Here are some FAQs about personal core values:

What is the distinction between a code of conduct and core values?

A code of conduct is a set of guidelines that govern how individuals act in the workplace—a list of acceptable and prohibited behaviours. Core values are a set of guiding principles individuals adopt to help them make their own choices. Ensure that you are conscious of both your personal core values and your company's codes of conduct.

How many core values can an individual have?

Personal values should be concise and easily remembered, so it's best to have between three and 10. Evaluate them to see if any are redundant.

Can you share core values examples with colleagues?

If certain values have helped you to be better both as an individual and as an employee in a company, you can share them with your coworkers. Team meetings provide great opportunities to share examples of your personal core values.