The value of val-yous: why reflecting on personal values can boost your colleagues confidence and sharpen decision making

Personal val-yous? Yes, please

You’ve seen them. The values posters.

Words like integrity, innovation and teamwork beaming out from reception walls or tucked into a PowerPoint slide.

But here’s the thing, those aren’t your values. They’re organisational ones. And while they might be well-meaning, they don’t always tell you much about what really drives the people who work there.

So, when was the last time you asked someone, what do you stand for?

Not the company line. Not the stuff we’re meant to say. But their own personal beliefs. The ones that shape how they behave, how they lead, how they make decisions under pressure.

I call these your val-yous (spelled that way to remind us this is all about you).

They’re easy to overlook. We don’t get much time or permission to explore them. But when people do, even briefly, the difference is noticeable. Why? Because your values anchor you.

They act like a compass when things get complicated. They remind you who you are when the noise ramps up. They guide the way forward when the road forks.

And the bonus? They strengthen your relationships too. When people understand what they stand for, they tend to connect better with others. It builds trust, clarity and those all-important human bonds that make teams tick.

So how do you bring this into the workplace? Let’s break it down.

1. Start with yourself

Before you ask anyone else to reflect on their val-yous, try it yourself. Try this: write down 15 to 20 values that resonate with you. Don’t overthink it. Just jot what comes to mind, honesty, humour, fairness, ambition, calm, courage, whatever feels like you. (There's a big list of values at the bottom of this blog).

Then take a step back. Ask yourself:

• Which ones are non-negotiable?
• Which ones guided your best moments?
• What was missing at your lowest points?

Here’s another good test, what gets under your skin?

If someone’s behaviour really winds you up, there’s a good chance it clashes with one of your values. That feeling of irritation can be surprisingly revealing.

Now whittle that list down to a shortlist of five or six. The ones that make you nod and go, Yes, that’s me.

Stick them on a Post-it. The front of your notebook. A note on your phone. Somewhere you’ll see them.

It’s a small act but a powerful one.

Because the more often you’re reminded of what matters to you, the easier it becomes to lead in a way that’s consistent, grounded and clear. You stop reaching for generic advice or second-guessing your instincts. You start backing yourself.

And once you’ve done it for yourself, you’ll see exactly why it’s worth encouraging others to do the same.

2. Encourage your team to explore their val-yous

Once you’ve done the work yourself, create space for others to do the same. You don’t need a special workshop for this (although it's part of the confidence workshop sessions I run). Just build it into a regular team moment:

• A check-in question in a one-to-one: What’s been important to you this month?
• A reflective pause during a team meeting: When were you at your best recently, and what values were present?
• Or a quiet prompt: Write about what motivates you, what makes you proud and who inspires you.

This isn’t fluff. It’s clarity.

When someone understands what they stand for, they stop circling decisions or hiding behind “I’m not sure.” They start showing up. They speak more directly. They stop waiting for permission to be themselves.

That’s when the shift happens, from hesitation to action, from vague to focused, from passive to purposeful.

And across a team, those small shifts add up to something powerful. You get stronger collaboration. Faster decisions. Fewer “What are we even doing here?” conversations.

You get people leaning into their strengths, not shying away from them.

So ask the question. Build the habit. You’ll be surprised what it unlocks.

3. Use val-yous to spot strengths

When you know someone’s values, you start to see what makes them shine, not just what they do, but how they do it.

Think about the quietly dependable team member who always follows through. That might be a deep value of responsibility or integrity. Or the one who brings calm in the middle of chaos, that could be composure, clarity, or care.

These are strengths hiding in plain sight.

Once you start noticing values in action, your feedback becomes far more meaningful. It’s not just “well done”—it’s “well done because…”

One leader I worked with started doing exactly this. Instead of generic praise, she’d name the value she saw:

“You handled that brilliantly and it really shows your commitment to fairness. That’s something you bring to every project.”

Simple, right? But it landed with her team. Because when you connect performance to a person’s internal compass, it doesn’t just feel good, it feels true.

And when people feel seen like that, they’re more likely to keep showing up in exactly the way you want. It’s a win-win.

So next time you recognise someone, try going a step further. Spot the val-you behind the strength and say it out loud.

Why it matters

Tricky moments are part of the job. Tight deadlines. Sudden changes. Awkward conflicts. Uncertainty crops up whether you’re ready for it or not.

And when it does, people often freeze.

They overthink. They hesitate. They try to please everyone or play it safe just in case.

But when someone’s clear on their val-yous, they don’t spiral. They don’t flounder. They navigate.

Because values act like an internal compass. When things get messy or uncertain, they give people something solid to steer by.

That means quicker decisions, less dithering, and a stronger sense of personal responsibility. Not because someone’s told them what to do—but because they already know what they stand for.

And in teams where this kind of clarity is encouraged, you see the difference. People are more present. More connected. More confident in their choices and in each other.

They’re not just reacting they’re responding. With purpose.

So yes, it’s a simple practice. Just ten minutes of reflection. But the ripple effect? That can be huge.

Because when people feel anchored in what matters to them, they don’t just do their jobs, they thrive.

Need inspiration? Here's a list of personal values start from

Here’s a list of values grouped by theme. Use it as a pick-and-mix. There are no right answers, only the ones that speak to you.

Achievement & accomplishment

Abundance, Achievement, Challenge, Determination, Growth, Mastery, Success, Wealth

Creativity & curiosity

Adventure, Creativity, Curiosity, Exploration, Innovation, Originality

Enthusiasm & enjoyment

Fun, Excitement, Joy, Playfulness, Surprise

Feelings & mindset

Compassion, Empathy, Gratitude, Happiness, Kindness, Love, Positivity, Respect

Health & energy

Fitness, Health, Vitality, Energy

Independence & freedom

Freedom, Individuality, Self-reliance

Integrity & principle

Authenticity, Fairness, Honesty, Integrity, Responsibility, Trustworthiness

Knowledge & intelligence

Learning, Logic, Wisdom, Insight, Foresight, Brilliance

Order & stability

Consistency, Organisation, Security, Stability, Structure, Timeliness

Presence & mindfulness

Calmness, Clarity, Focus, Simplicity, Tranquility

Skillfulness & competence

Excellence, Hard work, Motivation, Professionalism, Quality, Self-development

Spirituality & harmony

Balance, Faith, Forgiveness, Harmony, Peace, Purpose

Strength & courage

Ambition, Assertiveness, Bravery, Confidence, Courage, Dedication, Resilience

Togetherness & unity

Charity, Community, Equality, Family, Friendship, Loyalty, Teamwork, Support