The Value of Core Values
“It’s not hard to make decisions when you know
what your values are.” – Roy Disney
Decisions, Decisions: The Weight of Daily Choices
As leaders and educators, the sheer volume of decisions we face each day can be both staggering and exhausting. It has been suggested that teachers, for instance, make a minimum of 1,500 decisions daily! Such decisions can range from relatively minor (do I have time for a bathroom break before my students return from music?) to profound (which universal screening platform should our district invest in to help us make the best, most timely instructional decisions for our kids?). Every day we navigate this sea of choices, each with the potential to shape our work and the lives of those we serve. With such high stakes, especially in roles that support and build capacity for others, it's crucial to understand what fuels our decision-making process.
Core Values as Our Compass
So, what is at the core of our decision-making practices? Our core values, of course! (See what I did there?). Core values are the fundamental beliefs that guide our actions and decisions, our guiding stars. They are the principles and standards of behavior that anchor us, helping us navigate through the complexities of life and work. Examples of core values include compassion, responsibility, humor, forgiveness, gratitude, hard work, justice, love, and community. When we identify and act in accordance with our core values, we can make better, more thoughtful decisions about what truly matters to us as individuals, groups, and members of society at large. This alignment fosters meaningful and purposeful goals, both personally and professionally.
The Ripple Effect: How Core Values Influence Work and Life
Research across disciplines—education, psychology, public health, management, and psychotherapy—indicates that acting in alignment with our core values has a profound positive impact (1). When we identify, communicate, and act on our core values, we experience enhanced:
Clarity of Purpose: Knowing why we do what we do (e.g., 1, 2).
Commitment: Increased motivation and engagement (e.g., 3, 4).
Responsibility: A stronger sense of duty and accountability (e.g., 5, 6).
Goal Attainment: Better achievement of personal and professional objectives (e.g., 7, 8).
Self and Collective Efficacy: Belief in our own and our team’s abilities (e.g., 9, 10).
Fidelity of Practices: Consistency in implementing best practices (e.g., 7, 11).
Resilience and Adaptability: Enhanced ability to cope with and adjust to changes and setbacks (e.g., 12, 13).
Belonging: A deeper sense of connection and community (e.g., 14, 15).
Memory and Learning: Improved retention, understanding, and skill development. (e.g., 16, 17)
Job Satisfaction: Greater fulfillment and contentment in a professional role, increased productivity, and retention (e.g., 7. 18).
Happiness: Increased overall life satisfaction and well-being (e.g., 19, 20).
Aligning Our Core Values with Our Actions
Our values inspire, motivate, and guide our behavior. But how? Core values fundamentally shape our personalities and help define who we are as individuals. When we internalize values like integrity, empathy, and perseverance, they become a part of our identity. They influence how we interact with others, how we approach challenges, and even how we view ourselves.
For instance, someone who values compassion will naturally be more empathetic in their interactions, seeking to understand and support those around them. A person who holds honesty in high regard will strive to be transparent and truthful, fostering trust and reliability. These values are not just abstract concepts; they are the bedrock of our character, guiding our choices and actions in every aspect of life.
Acting in ways that reflect our core values isn’t necessarily automatic but requires purposeful attention to aligning actions with values. Living in alignment with our core values means that our actions reflect our deepest beliefs. It means making decisions that are congruent with what we stand for, even when it's difficult. This integrity between values and behavior not only strengthens our self-esteem but also builds credibility and trust with those around us.
When our actions are guided by our core values, we create a life that is not only personally successful but also fulfilling and authentic. We set a powerful example for others, showing that it is possible to lead with both heart and mind. This alignment also helps us stay resilient in the face of adversity, as our values provide a solid foundation to lean on when times are tough.
Here are some examples of acting in alignment with one’s core values:
A school principal who values community incorporates strategies to increase parent and community engagement in school activities, thereby fostering a supportive and engaged school environment.
A teacher who values continuous improvement actively seeks and incorporates feedback from students to enhance the learning experience and adapt teaching methods to better meet their needs.
A nonprofit leader who values transparency holds monthly open forums to provide clear, honest updates on the organization’s progress and challenges, building trust and accountability within the community.
In contrast, when we don’t act in alignment with our core values, a range of negative consequences are possible. This discomfort we experience when our actions don’t align with our beliefs is called cognitive dissonance. It often results in feelings of guilt, confusion, discontent, and even shame. For instance, if someone values honesty but finds themselves in a situation where they lie to avoid conflict, this discrepancy can create internal turmoil and damage their self-image. Similarly, a leader who values empathy but consistently makes decisions that overlook the well-being of their team may face reduced morale and trust within their organization.
Examples of misalignment include:
A teacher who values creativity but sticks rigidly to the curriculum due to administrative pressure leads to a lack of engagement and inspiration in the classroom.
A district administrator who values integrity but compromises on ethical standards to achieve short-term goals, resulting in long-term reputational damage and possible legal consequences.
A nonprofit leader who values community but prioritizes individual recognition over collective success, thereby eroding team spirit, collaboration, and volunteer capacity.
Recognizing these moments of misalignment is crucial, as they provide opportunities for reflection and realignment, helping us to better navigate our personal and professional journeys.
Values in Action
Values are only as good as the actions they inspire. Identification, communication, and personification of values are key to their effectiveness. Being mindful of our values each day and acting with intentionality ensures that our values are more than just words—they become lived, aligned, and satisfying experiences.
Resources for Navigating Value Systems
Wondering where to start? Here are some excellent resources to help you begin exploring and align with your core values:
Example cards from the PEAK Values® Card Deck
Brené Brown’s “Dare to Lead” List of Values. In her book “Dare to Lead,” Brown provides this list of 100 example values with a few spaces to add your own.
Bright Morning’s Core Values List. If you are a professional learning leader or coach in the education space, I’m sure you are familiar with Elena Agular and her book “The Art of Coaching.” (I met her once and totally fangirled!). This is her list of core values that accompany this book and includes a process to help narrow down your top values.
PEAK Values® Card Deck. These sorting cards created by The PEAK Fleet bring the good old standard values list to life in a colorful, tangible way. They are my favorite for exploring personal values and reaching a consensus on a team or organization's collective values. They include not only common values but also relevant imagery, photos, and synonyms to help define and communicate your core values of interest. Not a card-deck person? No problem. They also have a PEAK Values® Online Exercise.
Personal Perspective: My Core Values & Their Impact
In my own life, core values such as learning, service, and evidence have profoundly influenced my decisions and actions. In fact, looking back, these core values are exactly what led me to my career as a school psychologist, my pursuit of a doctoral degree to specialize in organizational consultation and systems change, and my passion for using evidence-based practices to build the knowledge and skills of others to reach their unique goals. Seriously, this is making so much sense the more and more I reflect. Core values are powerful little suckers, aren’t they?
Reflect & Act
Take a moment to reflect on your core values and how they shape your life and work. Consider these questions:
Alignment: Recall a time when you acted in alignment with your core values, resulting in positive outcomes. What happened? How did you feel?
Misalignment: Conversely, reflect on a time when you failed to act in alignment with your core values. What happened? How did you feel?
Core Values Today: In what ways will you intentionally align your actions with your core values today?
By staying true to our core values, we not only enhance our decision-making abilities but also create a ripple effect of positivity and purpose in our personal and professional lives.
Take the Next Step
Thank you for exploring the profound impact of core values with me. At Rise & Align, we know that aligning your actions with your core values can transform your educational or nonprofit institution, enhancing clarity, commitment, job satisfaction, and goal attainment.
If you're ready to see how values-driven strategies can make a difference in your school or organization, I invite you to connect with us. Let's embark on this journey together to create meaningful and sustainable improvements in impact.
Reach out to Rise & Align today to discover how we can support your unique goals. Contact us to learn more and schedule a consultation.
Align your values, transform your impact. Let’s rise and align together.
References
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