We spend so much time at work, we might as well enjoy it, right? If you want to find purpose in your job and feel genuine interest and joy in the everyday, one thing you can do is find an employer whose values align with your own. 

Here’s why values-alignment is important, and how to activate your values in your work.

What are values?

Values are our fundamental beliefs that are the motivating drive behind our actions. If our goals are an indication of where we want to be, it’s our values that determine how we get there. 

Values include characteristics such as honesty, integrity, determination, friendship, kindness, empathy, service and sincerity. They help us determine what’s important to us and how we want to show up in the world. When we don’t live in line with our values or are not clear on our values, then there can be feelings of unhappiness and unfulfillment. 

Why your values matter at work

Companies, like individuals, have core values. They are one of the biggest drivers of company culture and performance. And, when your values are in-sync with the company you work for, you’re more likely to thrive. Just think about the aid workers volunteering their time in sometimes tough conditions to help others, for charity organisations underpinned by a shared value of service before self.

Of course, the opposite is also true. For example, if your core values are about operating honestly and with integrity, you’re not going to enjoy working in a workplace or industry that is shady or underhanded. Misalignments can lead to a disconnect, leaving you unmotivated and unhappy. With so much of our lives spent at work, any misalignment can then create apathy, presenteeism and resentment or, potentially even lead to burnout. 

In our 2022 Candidate Motivators Report, 46% of senior leaders said that a mismatch between the organisation's values and their own contributed to them looking for a new role. You could use the concept of Ikigai to help you through this process to identify what you love doing, what you’re good at, how it can help people, and how that links to your work. This will help you clarify what you value and how it lines up with your company’s values. 

Define your values with intention

Our values don’t always come easy to us. They require deep internal reflection and perhaps even external guidance (ask your closest friends and loved ones how they see you). Consider:

• Can you articulate what you value? 
• Importantly, do your actions reflect those values? 
• Does the company you work for align with those values and allow you the opportunity to apply them in the workplace? 

If you’ve never sat down and put your values into words, now’s the time. 

Find values-alignment

If you’re looking for a new job, it's important for your long-term happiness and success to make sure your values align with the company’s guiding principles. While some employers may not explicitly state their values in the job posting, the language and tone they use to describe the position and responsibilities can be very telling. Also, check out their website, as most companies explain their brand values and their mission here.

If you’re already employed, you probably already understand what the company stands for. Otherwise, do a deep-dive into their policies, learning and development programs, employee benefits, and what they do on the corporate social responsibility front. These things make up what is known as an EVP – Employee Value Proposition – the stuff that goes beyond the dollars and cents. 

Let your values guide your career path to more fulfilment and happiness at work.

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