What are core values?

Core values can be described as the behavioral aspects that define what our company stands for and strives towards. Unlike the mission, which is goal-oriented, the mission and core values together provide the foundation for desired behavior within your organization.

In other words, core values indicate the fundamental principles and experiences we prioritize when making decisions and performing our tasks. This, in turn, contributes to achieving our mission every day. Core values are crucial in shaping your company culture.

Core values act as a compass for the organization, helping to guide the direction in which the organization wants to develop and how it aims to achieve its goals. They assist in forming the company culture, setting the standards, attitudes, and behaviors that are valued and encouraged within the organization.

Core values significantly contribute to the identity of the organization. They demonstrate both internally and externally what the organization stands for and what distinguishes it from others. Additionally, core values provide a basis for consistency in decision-making and actions within the organization, ensuring that all employees follow the same principles and act in alignment with the organization’s mission and vision.

It is also very important that clear core values attract potential employees who can identify with the organization’s values and culture.

Core values are essential because they help the organization achieve its goals, promote a positive culture, and convey a clear identity.

Steps to develop effective core values

1. Inventory of current resources

• the responsible person should inventory what is already available and record it in the Core Values input field within ICR.
• outcomes of any previous attempts to establish core values.
• elements that are important and documented in research reports, annual reports, or (strategic) plans.
• similar texts from competitors and other relevant organizations.

2. Share inventory outcomes with your core team

• share the results of step 1 with your organization's core team
• discuss which elements must be included in the core values
• record these in the Core Values input field within ICR
• formulate draft descriptions of the core values and formally request feedback from the core team using the "Share with your team" function

3. Ensure organizational buy-in

• if the core team is satisfied with the draft core values, ask a larger group of employees from all levels and departments for feedback
• based on the responses, the core team finalizes the descriptions of the core values
• request feedback once more from the previously involved employees to ensure that the most recent feedback and associated scores are recorded within ICR
• core team members ensure that everyone understands what the core values mean for their daily tasks

Sustainable success through manageable and controlled growth

The ICR online business software helps entrepreneurs and organizations find balance and peace, through manageable and controlled growth, with the goal of a healthy organization and sustainable success. We do this through the all-encompassing ICR cycle.

Choose our successful approach and start your process to go from ambition to result with the ICR Ambition Refresher!

The comprehensive ICR cycle