This Month’s Topic: Core Values
The beginning of a new month brings a new topic to explore. This month’s topic is Core Values. Core Values are fundamental to building a sustainable business and personal life. We will explore various aspects of core values throughout the month.
Unleashing the Power of Core Values: Examples from Real Businesses
As mentioned in the previous article, clarity about your business’s core values is crucial because they guide your business through its startup phase, through day-to-day operations, through its growth phase, and beyond.
But getting clarity about your values and how they manifest isn’t always easy. Sometimes it helps to see how others have defined theirs. Keep reading for examples of core values from real companies. Use these examples to help you brainstorm your own values and the values of your business.
Elements of a Core Value
Before jumping into the examples, it is helpful to understand the five key characteristics of a business’s core values. A business core value consists of these five attributes:
Some core values are strong and effective in building a business’s foundation. Others fizzle out over time. The difference is that strong core values are:
Sustainable – They can be applied to any type of business and maintained over time.
Constant – Regardless of what happens, these are core values that can be consistently applied.
Motivating – These values motivate employees and create a positive culture within the company.
Personal – Company core values reflect personal beliefs and values.
Applicable – These values can be and are reflected in the actions of the company.
Examples of Core Values in Real Businesses
Here are a few examples of core values from real businesses. Enjoy these and use them for brainstorming your values and the values of your business.
Zappos states its core values are:
- Deliver WOW Through Service
- Embrace and Drive Change
- Create Fun and A Little Weirdness
- Be Adventurous, Creative, and Open-Minded
- Pursue Growth and Learning
- Build Open and Honest Relationships with Communication
- Build a Positive Team and Family Spirit
- Do More with Less
- Be Passionate and Determined
- Be Humble
Motley Fool’s core values are:
- Motley: foster inclusion and belonging.
- Collaborative: Do great things together.
- Innovative: Search for a better solution. Then top it.
- Fun: Revel in your work.
- Honest: Make us proud.
- Competitive: Play hard, play fair, play to win.
Best Buy’s core values are:
- Having fun while being the best.
- Learning from Challenge and Change.
- Unleashing the Power of Our People.
- Showing Respect, Humility, and Integrity.
Slack’s core values are:
- Empathy
- Courtesy
- Thriving
- Craftsmanship
- Playfulness
- Solidarity
Chick-fil-A’s core values are:
- We are here to serve.
- We’re better together.
- We are purpose-driven.
- We pursue what’s next.
As you can see, the format and expression of core values vary greatly. These are examples to spur your thinking. Use whatever format and words are meaningful to you. These examples have a great impact because they all meet the characteristics of core values. They provide the ethical framework and norms of behavior that shape the culture of these companies. These values are enduring and slow to change.
Think Strategically about Your Core Values
As you brainstorm your core values, think strategically about how you will clearly articulate them. How will the values be put into practice in your business? How will they shape the culture of your business?
Take Action: Research the core values of other companies. List the core values of your business. Are they stated clearly? Are they guiding behavior and decisions? If not, what can you do to reinforce the importance of the core values and use them in day-to-day operations?
Next: Tips for Identifying Our Personal and Business Core Values
Understand your business’s core values. Create more harmony in your workplace, your work life, and your personal life by clarifying your personal and business core values. Strengthen the harmony in your work life, your family life, and your personal life.
https://www.linkedin.com/company/center-for-strategic-change/ and https://www.facebook.com/CenterForStrategicChange
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Yeah, love this topic and your presentation/knowledge
Thanks Linda! Core Values are so critically important for any business and any individual.