Core values are the invisible building blocks of a company. They shape the culture, guide decisions and influence how colleagues treat each other. In the world of human resources (HR), core values play a crucial role in shaping human resource management, attracting talent and creating a positive work environment. In this blog, we dive deeper into why core values are so important to a business and how they contribute to its success.
Meaning core values
Core values are the fundamental beliefs and principles that guide the behavior and decisions of an organization and its employees. They act as guidelines for what is and is not acceptable within the corporate culture. While mission and vision statements often describe strategic goals, core values reflect the ethics and standards an organization strives for.
Why core values are essential
Recruitment and selection: Core values are essential in attracting talent that is a good fit for your organization. Attracting employees who are already aligned with core values facilitates integration into the corporate culture and reduces the risk of conflict.
- Culture Building: Core values act as guides for desired behaviors and form the basis for the corporate culture that is created and maintained.
- Performance Management: Core values help evaluate your performance and that of your colleagues. They provide a framework for assessing whether you are pursuing the organization’s values in your daily work.
- Ethics and integrity: Core values serve as a compass that helps you and your colleagues make ethical decisions and act with integrity when dealing with sensitive HR matters.
- Leadership and Development: Core values play a crucial role in developing leadership capabilities within your organization. Leaders must embody the core values and integrate them into their management style.
The process of defining core values
Establishing core values requires a careful process:
1. Involve employees: It is important to involve employees in defining core values. Organize workshops or surveys to gather input from employees.
2. Analyze the organizational culture: Look at the existing culture and identify the values that are already being practiced. This can help formulate core values that fit your organization.
3. Define and articulate: Formulate core values in a clear and concise manner. They should be easy to understand and remember.
4. Implement and communicate: Integrate core values into all processes, from recruitment to performance reviews. Communicate them actively to employees and make sure they are known throughout the organization.
5. Integrity and consistency: It is critical that your organization and its leaders consistently live the core values. Integrity in upholding values is essential to credibility.
Examples of relevant core values
1. Integrity: Integrity is often a guiding core value. It emphasizes honesty, trust and ethical behavior when dealing with employees, customers and sensitive data.
2. Empathy: Companies often emphasize empathy as a core value. It shows commitment to the well-being of employees and customers and encourages understanding of their needs and concerns.
3. Professionalism: Professionalism is an important core value because it promotes high standards of behavior and performance. It encourages competent and respectful action.
4. Diversity and inclusion: Diversity and inclusion are increasingly important core values. They emphasize the commitment to a diverse and inclusive work environment and equal opportunity for all employees.
5. Learning and development: Many companies may emphasize core values focused on learning and development. This encourages continuous growth and improvement, both for employees and the organization as a whole.
6. Customer focus: This core value is critical. It emphasizes understanding and meeting the needs of customers, whether employees or organizations.
7. Confidentiality: Because certain employees have access to sensitive information, confidentiality is an essential core value. It emphasizes the importance of handling personal and corporate data with discretion.
8. Teamwork: Cooperation and teamwork are also commonly seen. They encourage colleagues to work together effectively and contribute to the success of the organization.
Learned allows you to put your core values into practice and maintain them
Our advanced HR software provides tools to integrate core values into various processes, from recruitment and onboarding to performance reviews. Using Learned, you can ensure that you and your colleagues are not only aware of the core values, but also apply them in your daily work. The result is a strong, values-driven corporate culture
