Every successful business starts with a strong foundation. Most of the time it’s the businesses founder (or founders). A person that knows everything about their industry. A person who knows everything wrong with it, that wants to make a difference and actually add value.

It is this drive, grit and determination that takes an idea, and turns it into a successful business. It is that founders passion, purpose and wish to do things “right” that makes the business a success.

Then one day, they wake up, and find they have gotten large, but have hit a growth wall. They want to grow the business more, or solidify the success they have had.

At the heart of the foundation a successful business (or team) are your values.

This term “values” has been used a lot in business and personal development. Every company website has them listed. We hear about them at company events. We are invited (or told) that these are what we value.

But let’s be honest, most of the time these values were developed in isolation. More often than not, they are just aspirations, not peoples actual values.

Figuring out your core values can feel like an abstract, philosophical exercise. It doesn’t have to be. In this blog, I want to simplifying the process of discovering your business values. I want to show you how values can guide growth, decision-making, and lasting success. Plus, there is a link to the values training video, if TLDR.

1. Why Values Matter More Than You Think

Your business values aren’t just feel-good words to put on a website. They’re your compass, influencing everything from who you hire to how you engage with clients and make strategic decisions. Values build trust, drive culture, and ensure your business stays aligned with its purpose, even as it grows. I know this, because I have done it myself. Every job I have taken, every company I have helped build, has been based on my values.

2. Simplifying the Process: How to Find Your Core Values

Finding your values doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s a straightforward, three-step approach inspired by The Success Framework:

• Reflect on Personal Wins and Challenges

Think about pivotal moments in your career or business. What drove you to success? What principles helped you navigate challenges? For instance, one core value is fortitude. Overcoming obstacles is key from my perspective, and it should be to the people I work with. Repeating this process until you find all the things (values) that are most important to you, across your career.

• Identify Patterns in Your Team

A business isn’t just about the founder, or its leaders. Look at your team’s shared beliefs. What do they consistently do, or focus on in their work? Aligning founder (leaders) and staff values is key to building a cohesive company culture.

• Test Through Action

Values should guide your decisions. Try using them as a filter when making business choices. If a partnership opportunity conflicts with your core values, it’s probably not the right fit and cause to walk away.

3. From Personal to Practical: Applying Values in Business

Once you’ve nailed down your values, it’s time to integrate them into your business model. Here’s how:

• Recruitment and Team Building:

Hire people who align with your values. When running a recruitment process, design it to attract individuals driven by values that align with the team. For me, its things like learning and honesty .

• Branding and Customer Engagement:

Your values shape how your brand is perceived. For example, our promise is to deliver practical outcomes with authenticity and honesty, which resonates with clients.

• Strategic Decision-Making:

Use your values as a north star when setting goals or expanding operations. Strategic goals should be grounded in values that ensure growth is aligned to who the team is at their core.

4. Real-World Impact: How Values Drive Growth

Values aren’t just about internal alignment; they have tangible effects on your bottom line. Businesses that stay true to their values foster stronger customer loyalty, attract better partnerships, and create lasting legacies. The training video below highlights examples of how aligning business practices with core values can lead to growth.

5. Ready to Align Your Business with Your Values?

Discovering and applying your values is just the beginning. Do you want to dive deeper into values? Do you want to learn how to do this for your business or team? Watch The Success Framework: Values Training Video. It covers the end to end process of identifying and implementing values in your business. Helping you align your business goals with core values, supporting sustainable growth and success.

[Watch the Training Video Here]

Final Thought:

Your values are more than just words—they are the engine that drives your business forward. When you align your strategy with your principles, you not only achieve success but also create a lasting impact. So, take the time to discover your values, apply them, and watch the ‘value’ it adds to your business.

Rock and Roll,

Rob

P.S. If this resonates with you, share your own business values in the comments. How have they shaped your journey in business (or in life)? Lets start a conversation.