Defining Your Core Values: A Personal Journey
Written by Monique Jordan-Cave
Your Career Bestie
Personal Values and Career Success
Hello, fellow Soul Leader,
In the fast-paced worlds of marketing, music, film and TV, success isn’t just about talent or strategy—it’s about staying true to your core values.
Whether you’re a new manager, senior leader, or industry professional, understanding what truly drives you can be the key to long-term fulfilment and success.
But how do you define your core values, and why do they matter?
Your values shape your decisions, leadership style, and career path.
They influence the way you collaborate, create, and connect with others.
In this article, we’ll explore a simple but powerful framework to identify, refine, and apply your core values so you can build a career aligned with your true self.
1. Why Core Values Matter in Your Career
Core values act as a guiding compass, helping you make the right decisions and navigate challenges with confidence. When you define your values, you:
🧠 Gain Clarity: Understand what truly motivates and fulfils you.
💪 Strengthen Leadership: Lead teams with authenticity and purpose.
🔩 Enhance Collaboration: Work better with colleagues who share or respect your values.
For professionals in creative and marketing industries, values help you stay original, authentic, and resilient in competitive environments.
If you’ve ever felt conflicted about a project or role, chances are it didn’t align with your values.
2. How to Identify Your Core Values
Defining your values doesn’t have to be complicated.
Use this three-step process:
Step 1: Reflect on Pivotal Moments
Think about times in your career when you felt proud, energised, or frustrated. What values were being honoured or violated?
Step 2: Create a Value List
Write down words that resonate with you, such as integrity, creativity, innovation, collaboration, or growth. Narrow it down to your top five values.
Step 3:
Test Your Values.
Ask yourself:
Do these values truly reflect who I am or who I think I should be?
Would I sacrifice money, status, or opportunity to uphold them?
Can I integrate them into my daily work and leadership style?
Tip: Journaling about your values for just 15 minutes a day can reveal patterns and priorities over time.
* If you rolled your eyes at me about journaling, I see you, and I kinda get it.
But, you have to do the work. Don’t just think about your values, get them down.
It’s important to make the connection between thought and action.
3. Aligning Your Work with Your Values
Once you define your values, the next step is alignment.
Here’s how:
🧠 Evaluate Your Current Role: Does your job honour your core values, or do you often feel disconnected?
💪 Set Boundaries: Say no to projects, partnerships, or opportunities that conflict with your values.
🗣️ Communicate Your Values: Share them with your team, employer, or clients to foster a values-driven work environment.
A career aligned with your values leads to greater job satisfaction, reduced burnout, and stronger leadership.
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4. Overcoming Challenges When Living Your Values
Living your values isn’t always easy—especially in high-pressure industries like marketing, music, theatre, film and TV.
Here’s how to stay true to yourself:
😐 Handle Conflict with Integrity: If pressured to compromise your values, stand firm and seek solutions that align with your ethics.
🤝 Surround Yourself with Like-Minded People: Work with organisations and individuals who respect and uphold similar values.
🤸 Adapt Without Compromising Core Beliefs: Flexibility is key, but never at the cost of your non-negotiable values.
Pro Tip: When faced with a tough decision, revisit your core values and ask, “What choice aligns with my authentic self? What feels right?”
5. Taking Action: Your Core Values in Motion
Now that you’ve identified your values, it’s time to apply them:
👉 In Your Leadership: Lead by example, showing consistency between your words and actions.
👉 In Your Decision-Making: Use your values as a filter for career opportunities and business choices.
👉 In Your Personal Growth: Regularly reflect and refine your values as you evolve professionally and personally.
By consistently aligning your actions with your values, you create a career filled with meaning, impact, and authenticity.
They guide your choices, shape your career, and empower you to create meaningful impact in your industry.
The journey to defining and living your values is ongoing—but it’s one that leads to fulfilment, resilience, and success.
Are you ready to align your career with your values?
Start today by defining your top five values and integrating them into your daily work and leadership.
💡 What are three core values that define who you are as a professional?
Let me know in the comments below.
Over to you!
MJx
Please feel free to share this article with a loved one, friend or colleague.
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