Guide to an Inspirational Core Value Statement

Core values represent the fundamental driving force of an individual or organization. They’re what influence behavior, and they help define our identity. These life-affirming statements provide the foundation for the organization’s goals, plans, initiatives, and activities. So, how exactly do you create an inspirational core value statement?

This article provides everything you need to write a compelling core values statement. We start by understanding what it is and how it affects the future of a business.

What is a Core Values Statement?

While both differentiate a company from the rest of the market, they have differences in function.  A core values statement outlines the company culture and what the company prioritizes the most. It represents a company’s beliefs, passion, and cultural practices. 

A core values statement is usually found on the company homepage, employee handbook, and company brochures. 

It is an opportunity to unite people who relate to your values to achieve a strategic goal. 

Core Values Statement vs. Mission Statement

Both these statements help establish the corporate identity. However, the difference is in purpose, focus, and audience.

Companies use their core values statement to inspire people who share common values to join them. Its key focus is to help hire like-minded members. It also describes a company’s way of life.

On the other hand, a mission statement helps share an organization’s vision to its target customers to gain support. Its focus is to describe an organization’s product and service.

How Does it Impact Your Business?

The purpose of a core values statement is to attract potential employees. It outlines company beliefs and helps distinguish your company from others by Identifying internal and external goals. 

Core values also guide the decision-making process in a variety of situations.

A well-crafted statement can catch the eye of quality employees. Your core values are critical to recruiting and retaining the best, most productive employees. It’s also why most companies check if candidates know their company values.

A core values statement empowers and motivates your employees to deliver better performance. The core values should be integrated with your employees to maintain the highest ethical standards. 

Steps for Writing an Inspirational Core Value Statement

A core values statement should never be too general. Your company’s core values should always be relevant to the business’s day-to-day operations and reflect your values as a person. Here are some steps to provide you with a structured approach:

1. State the Values That Matter to You

Identify the traits, qualities, and characteristics you feel are essential to your brand. Include as many as you can. You’re going to condense your list later. Consider your values statement as a list of non-negotiable behaviors if you get stuck. 

For example:

• Honesty
• Integrity
• Responsibility
• Teamwork
• Commitment
• Accountability
• Diversity
• Innovation
• Expertise

2. Categorize Your List

Next, try to group your list into different categories. Group the values into categories based on the types of issues they are associated with. Out of each group, remove the least significant values. You’ll eventually have general themes you can select as your values.

3. Discard the Least Important Values

The next step is to narrow your list to three to ten values. The values in this list should be the most important to you and reflect what your business cares about most. They will later serve as the guiding principles for your team. 

4. Describe Why Each Value is Important

You need to give each value context when you finalize your list of values. To do so, write a sentence or two which describes each one. Explaining why each value is essential to your company makes them more meaningful. 

For example:

• Empathy – We care about every stakeholder.
• Integrity – The foundation of trust comes from responsible actions and honest relationships. 
• Community and Environment Awareness – We strive to improve the communities where we work and live. To help the environment, we encourage using recyclable products and renewable energy sources. 
• Teamwork – We are stronger when we are diverse.
• Commitment – We deliver the best possible results no matter the challenge.
• Modern – Yesterday’s methods no longer get results. We stay current on these changing trends online so that you get a return on investment. 
• Respect – We treat everyone with dignity regardless of cultural background.
• Leadership – Leaders pull the wagon alongside the team. They don’t direct orders from it.

Final Words

People seek work environments that recognize, respect, and develop their talents, initiative, and leadership. Companies and employees that share values form a special bond that makes them a great place to work.

Coming up with a core value statement isn’t easy. It’s mostly because you must know that everyone has unique values. You also need to consider that company vision objectives can easily change. Values do not. 

We hope the information in this article helps you create a core values statement that leads your company to success.