Values, culture, principles and ethics are now organizational core competencies for success. In much the same way, our individual value is our core proficiencies of life long happiness and success. Core values may include respecting individual dignity, integrity, and honesty. Core values become ingrained in the way we act and think. Values and principles then guide us in the right course of action, establish direction, define challenges, and suggest preferred responses.
An organization can’t impose its values on us. Our beliefs, principles or convictions are a personal choice. But shared values, such as a customer focus, bind organizational stakeholders and direct behavior along a commonly accepted path. Values also provide a framework for making personal decisions, encourage involvement, define personal growth and business growth.