Taking values off the Wall
As a business owner, you’ve likely carved out a vision for where you want your organisation to go. But what about the workplace values that underpin how you’ll get there?
Values aren’t just a pretty picture on a wall or a list of virtues on your website. They’re the heartbeat of your organisation. They influence decisions, shape culture, and provide clarity when challenges arise. When aligned with everyday practices, these values become a driving force for employee engagement and business success.
Here’s how aligning values with your workplace practices can help you create a thriving, values-led culture - and why it matters.
Why workplace values are so powerful
Values are the lens through which we interpret the world. They shape our true north, guiding decisions and actions in both life and business. Yet many businesses fail to articulate their values clearly or make them felt throughout the workplace.
When teams are unsure of what their company stands for, it creates uncertainty. But when values are clearly defined and lived, they foster trust, engagement, and collaboration. Teams connect more deeply to their work, and businesses are better equipped to attract and retain the right talent.
At the same time, values are intrinsically linked to vision. They define the “why” behind your business goals and connect meaningfully to the “how” and “what.” When businesses fail to ground their strategy in values, they risk losing cohesion, direction, and motivation.
‘Perhaps the window by which I view the world is flawed.’
This quote always sparks thoughtful conversations whenever I share it, and I find it resonates with people across many contexts. It perfectly captures how our values shape the way we perceive, interact with, and move through the world. Values frame our perspectives, set our direction, and influence how we bring our vision to life in practice. Yet, it’s surprising how few people can confidently list their company’s values, or feel certain that those values are truly lived every day.
Lived values versus stated values
There’s a significant difference between stating your business values and living them. Lived values take effort, alignment, and action. For example, you might state that “integrity” is a core value. But are your workplace policies, behaviours, and decisions anchored in fairness, honesty, and sincerity?
Here’s an example from my own HR consultancy. My values - courage, growth, integrity, and creativity - help guide how I support clients and build partnerships. By living my values every day, I ensure that the guidance I offer aligns with both my principles and the unique needs of the businesses I work with.
A closer look at values in action
To illustrate how values go beyond words, here’s how I bring my own into practice.
Courage
Facing challenges head-on can be tough but is essential. For me, courage means having honest, transparent conversations - even when they’re uncomfortable. It’s about building resilience, confronting conflict, and guiding clients through tough decisions with confidence and care.
Growth
The joy I find in helping businesses and individuals grow is unmatched. Growth isn’t just about hitting targets but also learning from experiences, trying new approaches, and achieving aspirations. From refining employee engagement strategies to building career development pathways, the value of growth shows up across all areas of my work.
Integrity
This value is woven into everything I do. When I see misalignments between practices and values, I speak up. Integrity ensures consistency, trust, and fairness and creates a foundation for strong, values-led organisational culture.
Creativity
Creativity sparks innovation. Whether it’s brainstorming HR solutions or developing workplace policies with a fresh lens, creativity helps businesses evolve. It’s about finding new ways to stay curious and delivering tools that foster motivation and engagement.
These values don’t just help me choose the clients I work with, they guide me in building relationships with like-minded businesses. My clients prioritise their people, invest in their growth, and seek support to align their culture with their long-term goals.
How values shape workplace practices
To build a real values-led culture, values need to be actively integrated into daily work. Here are three ways to achieve this:
1. Align workplace policies with values
Take a close look at your workplace policies and processes. Do they reflect your stated mission? For example, if “collaboration” is a core value, are there practices that enable shared decision-making and team cohesion?
2. Empower leadership to model values
Leaders don’t just articulate values, they demonstrate them. By coaching leaders to align their management practices with company values, you add depth to those principles while fostering trust and credibility within the team.
3. Hire for values alignment
The best recruitment strategies don’t just focus on skills and experience but also on a candidate’s alignment with core organisational values. Employees who share the same guiding principles are more likely to thrive and help strengthen the workplace culture.
The remarkable ripple effect of values alignment
Businesses that live their values benefit from:
Enhanced employee engagement
Increased trust and collaboration within teams
A reputation as an employer of choice
Strengthened alignment between vision, practices, and outcomes
Ultimately, articulating and implementing workplace values doesn’t just create a positive culture, it unlocks sustainable business growth.
Partner with Kath Harris to bring your values to life
Creating a values-led culture isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about taking a personalised, intentional approach to align actions with principles in your workplace.
If you’re ready to ensure your values aren’t just a vision statement but a lived reality, I’d love to help. Together, we’ll define and activate the practices that align your people and processes in a way that supports your long-term goals.