Find Your Direction: Using Core Values as Your North Star for the New Year

My long-held conviction is that Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the bedrock for developing influential leaders and robust organizations. Central to EQ is understanding your WHY—the core purpose that acts as your north star, informing every action and decision you make. (I recommend exploring Simon Sinek's Start with Why for a deeper dive.) This "why" is essentially a reflection of your values, defining how you wish to be perceived and described by others.

When working with leaders through my process, I guide them through an intentional, step-by-step process to define their core values, ensuring these values serve as a consistent filter for decision-making. As the new year begins, I am sharing part of this structured approach which you can implement in your daily worklife:

A Seven-Step Guide to Clarifying and Committing to Your Core Values

Step 1: Deep Self-Reflection

Begin by answering a set of introspective questions:

• When have you experienced your greatest sense of fulfillment or pride, and what was the underlying reason?

• What fundamental principles consistently guide your choices and behavior?

• Identify someone you deeply admire. What specific qualities or actions do they embody?

• What situations or issues typically cause you to feel frustrated or angry?

       Step 2: Identify Core Themes

Review your answers from Step 1 and extract key theme words that represent the most significant concepts, emotions, or principles that emerged.

Step 3: Select Your Top Values

From your list of thematic words, narrow your focus and select the five single words that resonate most profoundly as your defining values.

Step 4: Draft Actionable Statements

Translate your top values into clear, measurable behavioral statements. These statements should define specific actions you can perform or evaluate to determine if you are living in alignment with the value.

Step 5: Increase Visibility

Post these actionable value statements in highly visible locations to serve as continuous reminders throughout your day.

Step 6: Conduct Regular Check-ins

Schedule dedicated time for self-assessment. During these check-ins, rate your performance on consistently demonstrating the behaviors outlined in your value statements. It might sound strange to schedule a check-in with yourself, but the truth is if you don’t take the time to schedule it, block the time and actually do the check-in you’ll never be able to measure if what you’re doing is producing the results you’re looking for. I enjoy working through this step alongside a client.

Step 7: Set Improvement Goals

For areas where your self-ratings indicate a gap between your actions and your values, establish specific goals to develop habits that will strengthen your commitment.

Start Your Year with Clarity: Defining Your Core Values

As you contemplate the year ahead, your organizational goals, and how you want to show up, consider the impact of defining your core values as a starting point. I recently guided a client through this process, and by pinpointing her personal values, she gained a powerful compass for decision-making and a clear intention for how she wants to show up every day.

To keep these values top-of-mind, she had them printed on a notebook she uses for meetings. This simple, daily reminder helps her remain focused, centered, and prepared to make sound choices.

Her Core Values:

1. Stay Brave.

2. Love One Another.

3. Be Curious.

4. Unify with Purpose.

5. Live Anchored.

I hope this exercise inspires you and sets you up for the most productive year possible. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions.