Our values should be the guiding lights that we use in shaping our lives and making decisions. Values, once identified, help you know yourself. Values show up in behavior, so knowing your values helps you identify behaviors that fit with your values so that you can walk the talk and operate as your most authentic self.

What values are most important to you or represent the person that you would like to be? Below is a list of potential core values commonly used by leadership institutes and programs. This list is not exhaustive, but it gives an idea of some common core values (also called personal values). The common recommendation is to select three to five core values to focus on—if everything is a core value, then nothing is really a priority.

One way to find your core values is to go through a list of potential values and circle those important to you. Again, sort through those selected to find the most important. Continue this process of winnowing until you find the three to five that are really core to who you are and to what is important to you.

Sample Values List

• Authenticity
• Achievement
• Adventure
• Authority
• Autonomy
• Balance
• Beauty
• Boldness
• Compassion
• Challenge
• Citizenship
• Community
• Competency
• Contribution
• Creativity
• Curiosity
• Determination
• Fairness
• Faith
• Fame
• Family
• Friendships
• Fun
• Growth
• Happiness
• Honesty
• Humor
• Influence
• Inner Harmony
• Justice
• Kindness
• Knowledge
• Leadership
• Learning
• Love
• Loyalty
• Meaningful Work
• Openness
• Optimism
• Peace
• Pleasure
• Popularity
• Recognition
• Religion
• Reputation
• Respect
• Responsibility
• Security
• Self-Respect
• Service
• Spirituality
• Stability
• Success
• Status
• Trustworthiness
• Wealth
• Wisdom

See a more extensive list of potential Core Values.

This article is part of a series of articles describing the Life Planning process. To see the other articles in the series, click here. While individuals are welcome to complete this process on their own, partnering with a Life Coach is often more effective. Please contact us for more information.