100 Core Values to Inspire Founders and CEOs

Doug Dosberg September, 8 2024 4 minute read

As a founder or CEO, defining your company's core values is one of the most important tasks you'll ever undertake. Core values act as a guiding compass for your organization, influencing everything from hiring and decision-making to how your team interacts with customers. These values provide a framework for building a strong, positive company culture and are essential for long-term success.

To help inspire your journey, I've compiled a list of 100 core values that can resonate across various industries. Whether you're a startup or an established company, use this as a foundation for developing a set of values that reflect your unique mission, vision, and culture.

Core Value Examples

Integrity
We always act with honesty and ethical conduct.
Customer-Centricity
Our customers' needs drive our decisions and actions.
Transparency
We believe in clear, open communication.
Accountability
We own our actions and their outcomes, both good and bad.
Innovation
We seek out new ideas and embrace change.
Empathy
We understand and care about the feelings of others.
Excellence
We strive for the highest standards in everything we do.
Collaboration
Teamwork and unity drive our success.
Respect
We value and consider diverse perspectives.
Fun
We believe in making work enjoyable and celebrating our successes.
Sustainability
We make decisions that ensure long-term environmental and social health.
Adaptability
We are flexible and responsive to change.
Growth
We focus on continuous learning and improvement.
Passion
We love what we do and are committed to our mission.
Empowerment
We trust our people to make decisions and own their work.
Inclusion
We embrace diversity and create a welcoming environment for all.
Gratitude
We show appreciation for each other and our customers.
Curiosity
We are driven to explore, learn, and discover new things.
Perseverance
We push through challenges and don't give up easily.
Simplicity
We value clarity and strive to remove unnecessary complexity.
Honesty
We are truthful in our dealings with each other and with customers.
Diversity
We actively seek out and value different viewpoints and experiences.
Responsiveness
We act with urgency when it comes to meeting the needs of others.
Creativity
We encourage innovation and unique approaches to problem-solving.
Trust
We build relationships based on mutual trust and reliability.
Dedication
We are committed to our goals and willing to go the extra mile.
Positivity
We approach challenges with optimism and energy.
Continuous Improvement
We always seek ways to grow, improve, and refine our processes.
Kindness
We treat each other with compassion, respect, and generosity.
Boldness
We take risks and make daring decisions to achieve success.
Focus
We remain focused on our goals and avoid distractions.
Quality
We are committed to providing the best possible products or services.
Support
We help each other and create a strong sense of community.
Reliability
We follow through on commitments and build trust through consistency.
Courage
We face challenges head-on without fear.
Openness
We create a culture of sharing and transparency.
Diversity of Thought
We value different opinions and encourage discussion and debate.
Community
We give back to our local and global communities.
Fairness
We treat everyone with equity and justice.
Efficiency
We aim to create the most value while minimizing waste.
Humility
We acknowledge that we can always learn and improve.
Balance
We support a healthy work-life balance for our team.
Compassion
We care about others and approach situations with empathy.
Loyalty
We are loyal to our customers, our employees, and our mission.
Generosity
We give back and share our success with those who need it most.
Agility
We adapt quickly and respond with agility in a changing environment.
Fair Compensation
We believe in rewarding people fairly for their contributions.
Optimism
We believe in a positive outcome, even in challenging times.
Social Responsibility
We are committed to having a positive impact on society.
Listening
We listen carefully to feedback, opinions, and suggestions.
Resilience
We bounce back from setbacks and keep pushing forward.
Commitment
We are dedicated to our mission, values, and customers.
Precision
We focus on accuracy and attention to detail.
Risk-Taking
We take calculated risks in pursuit of success.
Stewardship
We responsibly manage our resources for the long term.
Speed
We act with urgency and execute efficiently.
Joy
We create a workplace where joy, creativity, and passion thrive.
Personal Growth
We are committed to helping our employees develop and grow.
Patience
We take the time to do things right and don't rush through challenges.
Forgiveness
We allow space for mistakes and focus on growth from failures.
Ethical Responsibility
We hold ourselves accountable to the highest moral standards.
Legacy
We focus on building a long-lasting, impactful legacy.
Autonomy
We give our employees the freedom to work independently and make decisions.
Pride
We take pride in our work and celebrate our accomplishments.
Long-Term Thinking
We make decisions with the future in mind.
Open-Mindedness
We encourage new perspectives and are open to change.
Financial Responsibility
We make responsible decisions to ensure the company's financial health.
Diplomacy
We handle conflicts with respect, fairness, and tact.
Self-Awareness
We reflect on our actions and strive for personal improvement.
Inclusivity
We aim to create a diverse and inclusive culture.
Flexibility
We remain flexible to accommodate new ideas and challenges.
Team-Oriented
We work collaboratively, sharing knowledge and supporting each other.
Courageous Leadership
We lead with conviction and strength, even in challenging situations.
Global Perspective
We think globally and respect international viewpoints.
Wellness
We prioritize the health and well-being of our employees.
Dependability
We are reliable and consistent in delivering our commitments.
Continuous Learning
We are committed to ongoing education and professional development.
Authenticity
We stay true to who we are and what we stand for.
Resourcefulness
We find innovative ways to solve problems with what we have.
Vision
We maintain a clear vision of our goals and work toward them with focus.
Professionalism
We conduct ourselves with the highest standards of conduct.
Enthusiasm
We bring energy and excitement to our work every day.
Equality
We ensure fairness and equality in all our policies and practices.
Purpose
We are driven by a deep sense of purpose and meaning in our work.
Bold Leadership
We make courageous decisions that inspire and drive change.
Transparency in Feedback
We give and receive feedback openly and constructively.
Agility in Execution
We adapt quickly and pivot when necessary to maintain momentum.
Ownership
We take full responsibility for our work and its impact.
Ethical Innovation
We push boundaries but always operate within ethical guidelines.
Social Impact
We strive to make a positive contribution to society and the world.
Empowered Decision-Making
We trust individuals to make informed decisions that drive the business forward.
Optimized Process
We continuously refine our processes to maximize efficiency.
Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
We encourage collaboration across departments to foster innovation.
Compassionate Leadership
We lead with empathy, ensuring that everyone feels supported.
Learning from Failure
We view failures as learning opportunities and encourage risk-taking.
Mindfulness
We approach challenges with a calm, thoughtful mindset to make better decisions.
Long-Term Resilience
We build strategies that are sustainable and stand the test of time.
Creativity in Problem-Solving
We find imaginative solutions to complex challenges.
Respect for Autonomy
We respect the independence of our employees and their decision-making capabilities.
Entrepreneurial Spirit
We embrace the hustle and innovative drive of entrepreneurs to keep pushing forward.

How to Choose the Right Values for Your Business

Reflect on Your Vision and Mission
Think about the long-term goals of your company. What impact do you want to have on the world? Your core values should align with this larger mission.
Involve Your Team
Core values should not just come from the top. Engage your team to understand what they feel are essential principles that guide their work.
Be Authentic
Your core values must be genuine. Empty slogans that don't reflect the reality of your workplace will fall flat and even create mistrust.
Keep Them Simple and Memorable
Stick to a few fundamental values everyone in your organization can remember and live by daily.
Live by Them
Once established, ensure these values are lived out in every aspect of your business, from decision-making to rewarding and recognizing employees.

Final Thoughts

Core values are more than words—they're the foundation for building a thriving company culture. For founders and CEOs, establishing clear, meaningful values early on can set the tone for long-term success. Whether you're just starting or revisiting your company's values, this list offers a wide array of inspiration to guide you in crafting the principles that will lead your organization forward.

This list not only highlights potential values but also emphasizes how those values can be integrated into everyday company life. As a founder or CEO, your ability to champion these values is not just a task but a responsibility that will create a workplace where employees feel engaged, customers are satisfied, and the business flourishes.

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