In today’s rapidly changing workplace landscape, it can feel like the ground beneath us is constantly shifting. Regulations, policies, and expectations are rapidly evolving, leaving many organizations scrambling to adjust. A recent amendment to EO 11246 has brought this to the forefront for many HR leaders. But amidst these changes, one truth remains constant: strong workplace cultures are rooted in good principles. When organizations align their actions with their core values, an engaged workforce becomes a natural byproduct.
Why Values Are the Foundation of a Great Culture At the heart of every great workplace culture is a clear, actionable set of values. These values act as the guideposts for how decisions are made, how people are treated, and how success is measured. They aren’t just words on a website or in a handbook— or for the Gen X crowd, on posters with soaring eagles on them (if you know you know) - they’re the foundation for the behaviors and practices that define an organization. Without them, culture becomes ambiguous and reactive, leaving teams unclear on expectations and leaders inconsistent in their actions.
Organizations with strong values don’t wait for regulations to dictate fairness, transparency, or respect; they operate with these principles as a baseline. This proactive approach fosters trust, engagement, and long-term loyalty. Employees thrive in environments where values are clear, consistent, and reinforced—and that’s where good culture takes shape.
How Values Shape Culture Great cultures don’t happen by accident. They’re intentionally built by:
Defining Clear Expectations: It starts with defining core values that resonate with the mission and vision of the organization. Values like integrity, accountability, and inclusivity create a shared language that everyone can understand and act upon.
Leading by Example: Leadership must embody these values in every decision and interaction. When employees see leaders modeling the behavior they expect, it reinforces trust and accountability.
Embedding Values into Everyday Work: Values need to show up in hiring practices, performance reviews, and even how teams handle conflict. For example, using values-based questions in interviews helps ensure new hires align with the company’s culture from day one.
Encouraging Continuous Feedback: Regular feedback mechanisms like engagement surveys or team check-ins create opportunities to evaluate whether values are being upheld and where improvements can be made.
When values are consistently demonstrated, they create a framework for decision-making that empowers employees and aligns teams. It’s this alignment that fosters innovation, collaboration, and resilience—the hallmarks of a thriving culture.
A Generational Bridge Strong values also serve as a bridge across generational divides. With multiple generations in today’s workforce, alignment on shared values can unite diverse perspectives. Employees of all ages want to feel valued, respected, and empowered to make an impact. By focusing on principles that transcend generational differences, organizations can create cohesion and minimize friction.
Optimizing Culture for the Future Here are three actionable ways to use values to build a great culture:
Clarify and Communicate Values: Ensure everyone in the organization knows the company values and understands what behaviors demonstrate them. Use stories and examples to bring the values to life.
Hold Everyone Accountable: Whether it’s a top executive or a new hire, ensure all employees are held to the same standard when it comes to living out the values.
Reinforce Through Recognition: Celebrate employees who embody the values in their work. This not only reinforces the importance of values but also motivates others to follow suit.
Building for the Future While compliance will always play a role in how businesses operate, it’s the organizations that win the culture game that will truly thrive. Good principles create great cultures, and great cultures lead to better outcomes for employees, leaders, and the bottom line. By focusing on what matters most—the principles that guide us—we can build workplaces that succeed no matter what external changes come our way.
What are the core values guiding your workplace? I’d love to hear how you’re shaping your culture to align with them. Let’s start a conversation in the comments below.