The term “values” is used across many different spheres. If you’re currently employed, you may be familiar with your workplace’s list of “organizational values.” Similarly, you have likely heard of values in the context of a nation, religion, or political party. Finally, you have at some point likely considered your own personal values. Generally stated, values are broad ideals that guide the actions and decisions of an individual or group. A person or group’s “core values” constitute a limited number of values that exert the strongest influence over an individual or group’s behavior [2].
When studying values, either in the context of a group or an individual, researchers, consultants, and counselors sometimes identify a discrepancy between a person or organization’s professed values, and the values that actually drive priorities and behavior. For example, a person could state that one of their strongest core values is “honesty.”
However, if this hypothetical person routinely lies to “cover up” for a friend, it may be that honesty is actually not among this person’s core values for the simple reason that this ideal is not actually driving behavior. “Loyalty” (even misguided loyalty which would likely be the case in this scenario) may be a stronger core value in this instance. Similarly, an organization could profess “respect” as one of its core values, despite the reality that dominance and aggression are more pervasive than respectful interactions among employees.
Knowing and living in accordance with your values seems simple enough in theory, but is often difficult in practice. The HIGH5 strengths test helps you identify these core values but also helps you connect your values to your inherent strengths. This alignment is crucial as it turns the theoretical understanding of your values into practical, actionable insights, making it easier to live by them every day.
Regardless of your career path and professional goals, knowing and prioritizing your values can allow you to be more confident in your decisions, including decisions about what is most important to you. Knowing your strengths and values also enables you to make informed decisions regarding the types of work and organizations that would most likely be a good long-term fit. In this article, we will discuss examples of common personal values and the benefits of living in accordance with one’s values.
Pro Tip From HIGH5
To truly live by your values, start by taking the HIGH5 strengths test to identify which of your strengths can best support your core values, and what gives you a sense of meaning in your life and work. The test is available at no cost and generally takes about 20 minutes to complete from start to finish.
What are personal values?
Personal values are the real priorities you have in life. They are anything that you find immensely important and the characteristics that drive you to pursue your dreams and shape the way you approach decisions.
For instance, one common value is honesty. People who value honesty believe that always telling the truth is extremely important. They speak their mind, even if it means giving negative criticism. If they sugarcoat something, they may feel like they have not upheld their value.
Everyone has their own unique, exhaustive list of values. While someone’s values list includes cooperation and friendliness, someone else may prioritize independence and competitiveness. There is no objective right or wrong value. Define your values by what motivates you and what makes you happy, even if it seems strange to others.
28 examples of personal core values
Personal core values are unique to the individual. While one person’s core values may include cooperation and harmony, another person may prioritize independence and competitiveness. There is no objective right or wrong value. Consider the following list of 28 examples of values. Take note of the values that most resonate with you.
- Accountability
- Adventure
- Compassion
- Achievement
- Beauty
- Commitment
- Ambition
- Balance
- Boldness
- Community
- Curiosity
- Altruism
- Challenge
- Discipline
- Equality
- Freedom
- Pleasure
- Wealth
- Friendship
- Kindness
- Determination
- Learning
- Openness
- Gratitude
- Confidence
- Persistence
- Creativity
- Independence
- Intelligence
- Honesty
- Loyalty
- Authenticity
- Dependability
- Justice
- Compassion
- Security
- Fitness
- Health
- Peace
- Leadership
- Personal development
- Patience
- Encouragement
- Flexibility
- Accuracy
- Capable
- Fairness
- Fortitude
- Selfless
- Respect
- Teamwork
- Thankful
- Trustworthy
- Valor
- Wisdom
- Winning
- Skill
- Dignity
- Drive
- Order
- Optimism
Accountability
Taking ownership of your actions means stepping up and facing the consequences, good or bad. It’s about owning your journey and making no excuses – only results.
Adventure
Life is too short for routine; seek out the thrill of the unknown. Embrace every opportunity to break new ground and inject excitement into your life.
Compassion
Real strength lies in understanding and caring for others. Empathy is the bridge that connects hearts and fuels genuine human connection.
Achievement
Success isn’t accidental; it’s the result of setting ambitious goals and relentlessly pursuing them. Celebrate every milestone as a testament to your hard work.
Beauty
Beauty elevates the soul, whether in art, nature, or human kindness. Strive to create and appreciate the aesthetic pleasures around you.
Commitment
Commitment is the backbone of success. Whether in business or personal endeavors, staying dedicated separates the achievers from the dreamers.
Ambition
Ambition fuels the journey to greatness. It’s that inner fire driving you to constantly seek more, do more, and be more.
Balance
A well-balanced life is essential for sustained success. It’s about juggling work, rest, and play to maintain overall well-being and productivity.
Boldness
Fortune favors the bold. Step out of your comfort zone, take calculated risks, and dare to make big moves.
Community
No one succeeds alone. Build a strong network and contribute to your community—your support system is your greatest asset.
Curiosity
Never stop asking questions. Curiosity drives innovation and opens doors to new possibilities and knowledge.
Altruism
True success includes lifting others as you climb. Practice selflessness and make a positive impact on those around you.
Challenge
Challenges are opportunities in disguise. Embrace them with open arms, as they build character and resilience.
Discipline
Discipline is the cornerstone of excellence. Stay focused, adhere to your principles, and maintain control over your impulses.
Equality
Champion fairness and equality in all endeavors. True progress comes from creating opportunities for everyone to thrive.
Freedom
Cherish and protect your independence. Freedom empowers you to make choices that align with your values and goals.
Pleasure
Life isn’t all work; savor the pleasures. Enjoy the moments that bring joy and satisfaction, fueling your drive to succeed.
Wealth
Financial freedom is a key aspect of a fulfilling life. Pursue wealth not just for its own sake but for the opportunities it brings.
Friendship
Strong friendships are a source of strength and joy. Invest in these relationships as they provide unwavering support.
Kindness
Kindness costs nothing but means everything. Small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect of positivity.
Determination
Determination is the relentless pursuit of your goals despite obstacles. It’s about never giving up until you achieve what you set out to do.
Learning
Commit to lifelong learning. Knowledge is power, and continuous education is the key to staying ahead.
Openness
Keep an open mind. Being receptive to new ideas and experiences broadens your horizons and fuels growth.
Gratitude
Practice gratitude daily. Recognizing and appreciating your blessings enriches your life and keeps you grounded.
Confidence
Confidence is your best asset. Believe in your capabilities and let your self-assurance propel you forward.
Persistence
Persistence is the fuel that powers success. Keep pushing through challenges with unwavering resolve.
Creativity
Unleash your creativity. Innovation and original ideas set you apart and drive progress.
Independence
Strive for independence. Relying on your own skills and resources fosters growth and self-sufficiency.
Intelligence
Cultivate your intelligence. Sharpen your mind and use your understanding to navigate complex situations.
Honesty
Honesty is the foundation of trust. Be truthful and transparent in all your dealings.
Loyalty
Loyalty builds strong, lasting relationships. Show unwavering support to those who matter.
Authenticity
Be authentic. True success comes from being genuine and true to your core values.
Dependability
Be someone others can rely on. Dependability fosters trust and solidifies your reputation.
Justice
Stand up for justice. Ensure fairness and moral integrity in all your actions.
Security
Strive for security. A stable and safe environment allows you to pursue your goals with confidence.
Fitness
Prioritize fitness. Physical health boosts your energy and sharpens your mind, essential for peak performance.
Health
Health is wealth. Focus on maintaining both physical and mental well-being to thrive in all aspects of life.
Peace
Seek peace. A tranquil and harmonious life fosters clarity and happiness.
Leadership
Lead by example. Effective leadership inspires and guides others toward collective success.
Personal Development
Commit to personal development. Continuous growth and self-improvement are keys to long-term success.
Patience
Practice patience. Tolerating delays and challenges with calmness lead to better decision-making.
Encouragement
Encourage others. Your support and uplifting words can significantly impact their journey.
Flexibility
Stay flexible. Adapting to new situations and changes ensures you remain resilient and versatile.
Accuracy
Value accuracy. Precision and correctness in your actions build credibility and trust.
Capable
Show your capability. Demonstrating competence and skill earns respect and opens doors.
Fairness
Champion fairness. Treat everyone equally and justly to build a strong, principled foundation.
Fortitude
Exhibit fortitude. Courage in adversity defines your strength and character.
Selflessness
Be selfless. Putting others’ needs before your own creates a positive, supportive environment.
Respect
Show respect. Consideration and esteem for others foster mutual respect and cooperation.
Teamwork
Embrace teamwork. Collaboration and collective effort amplify success and achieve greater results.
Thankful
Be thankful. Expressing gratitude enhances your appreciation for life and its blessings.
Trustworthy
Be trustworthy. Reliability and honesty are the cornerstones of strong, lasting relationships.
Valor
Show valor. Courage and bravery in the face of challenges inspire others and drive you forward.
Wisdom
Pursue wisdom. Knowledge and good judgment are invaluable assets in navigating life’s complexities.
Winning
Aim to win. Striving for success and victory keeps you focused and motivated.
Skill
Hone your skills. Proficiency and expertise set you apart and drive excellence.
Dignity
Maintain dignity. Self-respect and honor uphold your integrity and inspire respect from others.
Drive
Show drive. Strong motivation and ambition propel you towards your goals with relentless energy.
Order
Value order. Organization and structure provide clarity and efficiency in all your endeavors.
Optimism
Stay optimistic. A positive and hopeful outlook fuels resilience and propels you through challenges.
Benefits and importance of having personal values
Personal values are your compass in a world of choices, guiding you to happiness and fulfillment. By taking the HIGH5 strengths test, you can enhance this guidance system with a deep understanding of your strengths, ensuring your values and career choices are perfectly aligned. This not only maximizes your happiness but also ensures every decision contributes to your ultimate life goals.
Values drive each and every one of our actions, so it is important to ensure your values are consistent and clearly thought out. Personal values serve as your compass in a world of choices, guiding you towards fulfillment that will be most meaningful to you. By taking the HIGH5 strengths test, you can become better oriented to your internal “guidance system.” This understanding of your strengths and values helps to ensure alignment with your career choices.
While there is a huge list of benefits to having values, below are just 6 examples of their benefits. Awareness of your values can convey the following benefits:
- Increased self-awareness.
- A greater ability to pursue jobs and employers that align with your values and strengths.
- Improved confidence in daily decision-making.
- Motivation to achieve goals that align with personal values and strengths.
- Improved self-esteem derived from living in accordance with professed values.
- Enhanced sense of meaning derived from aligning your actions with your ideals and priorities.
Pro Tip From HIGH5
Regularly review the results of your HIGH5 strengths test to see how your top strengths can support the personal values you hold dear. This ongoing alignment process will help you make choices that lead to a more successful and fulfilling career.
How to identify your personal values?
Defining your values through self-exploration is deeply enriching. However, this pursuit can be daunting, and difficult to think about objectively. The HIGH5 strengths test simplifies this process by highlighting your natural values and strengths, providing a clearer picture of what truly drives your motivation and behavior. Below are additional steps to help you identify your values, and begin applying them to your daily life.
The main two things are personal values assessment and self-reflection questions. Here are self-reflection questions to help you get started:
- What do you value in other people?
- What 5 values are the most important to you?
- What values would you like to have?
- On what values do you need to work on?
Below is an outline of how to identify and apply your values:
Step 1: Identify situations from your past that offered high satisfaction
Looking back on your career, relationships, and personal life, think about situations that conveyed high satisfaction. Perhaps you recall high levels of satisfaction when you worked as part of a supportive, cohesive team toward a cause you cared about. In this case, “service to others” may be one of your core values. Similarly, you may recall high levels of satisfaction in a role that empowered you to attain major milestones for which you received recognition.
If this dynamic provides you with high levels of personal satisfaction, “achievement” may be one of your core values. As you think back to situations that yielded high satisfaction – ask yourself: What kind of work was I doing? Who was I surrounded by? Where was I? Did anything else contribute to my satisfaction at that moment? The answers may help you identify your core values and core strengths.
Step 2: Identify the times when you felt most proud
Most of us can think back to a moment that we recall with pride. The moment may not entail an award or major publicity. Perhaps you were most proud when your child made a good decision independently. Perhaps you felt most proud when you made the right decision against enormous pressure. Perhaps you are most proud of beating a performance record on your team. The feeling of pride that you felt was very likely tied to acting in accordance with a highly esteemed value.
Step 3: Determine your top values, based on your experiences of happiness, pride, and fulfillment
Consider the takeaways from the first two steps. As you reflect, try jotting down the 15 or so values that come most easily to you. Feel free to review the list of 28 common core values listed earlier in this article, as these values may jog your thoughts. Remember, values are highly-regarded ideals. No one person can abide by their values perfectly, 100 percent of the time. Jot down the values that resonate most with you, even if you can recall instances where you fell short of those values. The HIGH5 strengths test also provides an objective assessment of your internal drivers and the aspects of your life that you find most rewarding.
Step 4: Prioritize your top values
Once you have jotted down your list of values, circle the five values that most resonate with you. If this feels difficult, imagine a scenario in which you could only satisfy one of your values. How would you do it? The five or so values that rise to the top during this exercise are likely your core values.
Step 5: Reaffirm your values
Look back on the list you have just created. Over the next few weeks, ask yourself to what extent you are living these values in your daily life. Are any values aspirational – that is, values that you wish to embody but seldom exhibit?
Pro Tip From HIGH5
Utilize the insights from your HIGH5 strengths test to pinpoint values that resonate most with your natural abilities. This will help you focus on areas where you can excel and feel most fulfilled.
How to adapt your values when needed?
Living a value-driven life means making decisions, setting priorities, and conducting yourself in a way that aligns with what is most important to you. Many people confuse their values with the values of people around them. This underscores the importance of doing the work to identify your own unique values.
It may be that the people around you place high value on adventure and travel, while you hold family and friendship at a higher level of importance. It may be that the people around you place a high priority on increasing their salary, while you tend to prioritize work that you enjoy doing. Though your peer’s way of thinking may not be “wrong” and may actually serve them well – be aware that your ideals are your own.
That said, it may be that your values evolve throughout your life. Although core values are unlikely to shift dramatically, other values may need re-assessment. Some values and ideals, including our image of success that we may have held in our teens or twenties, can change as we get older. Similarly, a major life transition, such as a career change, loss, divorce, or new responsibility may spur us to re-evaluate our values.
How to live your values with integrity?
Integrating your HIGH5 strengths test results into the process of discovering your values is an effective way to understand how your ideals guide your life choices and daily behavior. Once you have identified your values, including your most influential “core values,” consider how you can practically incorporate these values into your daily life.
A person who acts in accordance with his or her values, even through hardship and resistance is a person who is said to have high levels of integrity [1]. Though living with integrity is not always easy, this way of living ultimately provides greater peace of mind. People with integrity do not often succumb to pressure, influence, or misdirection, as they are guided by the sure compass of their own values.
Pro Tip From HIGH5
After identifying your strengths with the HIGH5 test, create a daily checklist that aligns these strengths with your core values. This methodical approach helps maintain integrity in your actions and decisions, ensuring you live a value-driven life each day.
Make decisions according to your values
Be on the lookout for daily opportunities to make value-based decisions. For example, if you value leadership, do you make a conscious, consistent effort to motivate your team? Or do you more often let someone else take the lead? You may also face ethical situations in which the best course of action is not clear. Leaning on your values to guide your decision can help you make decisions that you will feel good about in the long term. The HIGH5 strengths test provides crucial insights into how your unique strengths and values can guide you toward what is most important to you.
Personal values FAQ
How are values different than beliefs?
Values and beliefs both guide our assumptions about what is right and wrong. However, values focus more on conceptual ideals (bravery, generosity, continuous growth) whereas beliefs are closely held assumptions that undergird our view of reality, including ourselves.
What are examples of beliefs?
Beliefs may be conscious or unconscious, positive or negative, and true or untrue. Our beliefs provide a context for how we interact with the world around us. Examples of unconscious beliefs are:
“I am not very good at taking charge.”
“People are only nice when they want something.”
“I am the best salesperson on my team.”
“Constant hard work is the key to success.”
References:
- Christie, K. and Fellow, K. (2014). Leading with integrity. Queens School of Business. https://smith.queensu.ca/insight/file/qsbinsight_whitepaper_leading_with_integrity.pdf
- Lencioni, P. (2002). Make your values mean something. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2002/07/make-your-values-mean-something
