Understanding Personal Values: A Key to Effective Leadership

Why Values Matter in Leadership

Values shape everything we do. Whether you’re aware of yours or not, they influence your effectiveness and success as a leader. Your personal values in leadership impact the choices you make, the way you build relationships, and even the goals you pursue.

Yet, despite their importance, many leaders go through life on “values autopilot”—acting on values unconsciously without defining or actively applying them. If that sounds familiar, it’s time to make a change.

Several successful leaders, including Andrew Grove, former CEO of Intel, and Claudia Brind-Woody, IBM executive, have shared how identifying and aligning their actions with their personal values transformed their careers. This clarity helped them make more confident decisions, tackle challenges with integrity, and pursue goals that felt truly meaningful. The result? Greater fulfillment, resilience, and success—both personally and professionally.

In this article, we give you tips on how to identify your values and leverage them, getting out of “values autopilot” to use values as the powerful compass they are, guiding you in everything from everyday interactions and decisions to your big-picture strategy for life and work.

First, let’s get clear on what values actually are.

What Are Values?

Your personal values are the deeply held beliefs that shape your decisions, behaviors, and interactions with the world. They define what matters most to you and act as your internal compass in work and life.

Some common values include:

• Integrity – Acting with honesty and strong moral principles.
• Accountability – Taking responsibility for your actions.
• Innovation – Seeking creative solutions and continuous improvement.
• Empathy – Understanding and considering others’ perspectives.
• Growth – Striving for continuous personal and professional development.

Understanding what values are and identifying your own is the first step toward leading with authenticity and purpose.

How to Identify Your Core Values

While you may relate to many values, research suggests that people typically focus on a core set of six to ten values that drive their life choices. The key is to identify the ones that hold the highest priority for you right now.

Here’s how to uncover your core values:

1. Self-Reflection

Ask yourself:

• What qualities do I admire in others?
• What principles guide my biggest decisions?
• When have I felt most proud or fulfilled?

2. Learn from Your Past Experiences

Think about moments in your life that brought pride, frustration, or deep happiness. These experiences often reveal your most important values.

Example: If you felt proud when standing up for a colleague, fairness or justice might be a core value for you.

3. Narrow Down Your List

Having too many values can make it difficult to align them with your goals. Cut your list down to five core values by prioritizing the ones that resonate most with you.

Don’t worry if you have to let some go—values shift over time, and you can always reassess in the future.

Aligning Your Values With Your Personal and Professional Goals

Now that you’ve identified your core values, the next step is to integrate them into both your personal and professional life. When your values guide your decisions, you lead with authenticity and create a fulfilling, purpose-driven life.

1. Set Goals That Reflect Your Values

Ask yourself:

• Does my career path align with my values?
• Am I prioritizing personal goals that reflect what matters most to me?

Example: If collaboration is a core value, seek out roles or projects that emphasize teamwork. If growth and learning are important, invest in leadership training or mentorship programs.

2. Define Your Leadership and Personal Vision

Your leadership vision should reflect the impact you want to have, guided by your five core values.

• Professional Vision: “As a leader, I foster an environment of innovation and integrity, where ideas are valued and people are empowered to grow.”
• Personal Vision: “I commit to lifelong learning and cultivating meaningful relationships that align with my values of curiosity, kindness, and resilience.”

3. Evaluate Your Career and Personal Choices

If your values don’t align with your work environment, it may be time to reassess.

Example: If integrity is a core value but your company lacks transparency, consider advocating for change or exploring opportunities elsewhere.

The same applies to personal choices—if family is a priority but work takes up all your time, set boundaries to bring better balance into your life.

Using Your Personal Values in Leadership

Values-based leadership means intentionally using your core principles when setting goals, making decisions, and leading others. Leaders who know and live their values earn trust, build stronger teams, and create lasting impact.

Here’s how to integrate your values into leadership:

• Communicate Your Values – Share them with your team and explain how they shape your decisions.
• Model Them Consistently – Act in alignment with your values in everyday interactions and key leadership moments.
• Encourage Open Dialogue – Foster conversations around values and decision-making within your team.

Note: Not all core values need to be shared in the workplace. Focus on values that can be broadly applied in an office context, and honor others in your personal sphere.

Your Path Forward

Leadership isn’t just about your title or expertise—it’s about leading with integrity and purpose in all areas of life. Whether you’re managing a team, mentoring a friend, or engaging in family discussions, leadership is at play and your values are at the core.

By identifying and embodying your core values, you’ll make better decisions, build stronger relationships, and create a leadership style that is both authentic and impactful.

Ready to take action?

Start today by reflecting on your values, writing down your personal and professional visions, and making intentional choices that align with what truly matters to you.