On World Values Day I felt it was a timely reminder to share some thoughts about values and how intrinsically important they are to our happiness and compatibility in life and work.

It wasn’t until I undertook my coaching training that I realised the importance of values in my life and how they are core to everything I do and say. It’s what I start with when coaching my clients – I want to know their values so we can ensure that my client remains aligned to them and is honouring them, but more often than not, my clients have no idea about their values! It’s never been something they’ve been asked before, it’s just a phrase they’ve encountered, perhaps through their work, but not something they’ve personally thought about in depth. It’s transformational when we do!

Our values are the guiding principles that shape how we lead, how we interact with others, and how we make decisions. When we’re connected to our values, we act with greater integrity, confidence, and clarity. But when we’re disconnected from them, we may feel stuck, drained, or out of alignment with who we truly are. The impact of our connection with our values is tangible.

Our values are the guiding principles that shape how we lead, how we interact with others, and how we make decisions. When we’re connected to our values, we act with greater integrity, confidence, and clarity. But when we’re disconnected from them, we may feel stuck, drained, or out of alignment with who we truly are. The impact of our connection with our values is tangible.

In leadership, this connection becomes even more crucial. It’s not just about achieving goals; it’s about doing so in a way that honours what’s most important to us. Leading from your values is one of the most powerful ways to build trust and authenticity within your team. When your actions, decisions, and leadership style reflect what you genuinely stand for, you create an environment where others feel safe to do the same. To lead well in alignment with your values, it’s essential to remain self-aware, regularly checking in with yourself to ensure your leadership practices are grounded in those core principles. This means leading with integrity, communicating openly, and modelling the behaviours you expect from others. When challenges arise, use your values as a compass to guide tough decisions and stay true to the leader you want to be. I created a really useful decision-making tool that I’d like to gift you as a means to helping you make decisions aligned to your values. Download it here.

If you’re a people manager/ leader yourself, and you would like to know a little bit more about understanding your values and how they influence your leadership then you might want to explore my self-led resource, LeadHER Quest which offers you deep and meaningful work to help you identify who you are as a leader yourself, and how your values can support your growth and development.

However, in the workplace there are a few further questions to consider –

• How aligned are you with your organisation’s values?
• How aligned are you to your line manager’s values?
• What can you do if you aren’t?

Let’s explore further.

Your personal values and those of your organisation may not always perfectly align. When they do, it creates a sense of purpose and shared vision. However, when they don’t, it can cause internal conflict, a lack of motivation, and even disengagement.

So, what can you do if you feel disconnected from your organisation’s values? I suggest you should:

• Reflect on the gap – Identify where the misalignment is. Is it in the company’s culture, decision-making, or how leadership operates? Understanding the source of the disconnect is the first step.
• Have open conversations – Sometimes the issue isn’t about the values themselves but how they’re being expressed. Engage in dialogue with your leaders or team members about what the company values mean in practice and how they can be lived out more authentically.
• Seek alignment where you can – Find areas where your personal values overlap with your organisation’s. Focus on those spaces, and contribute to initiatives that resonate with you.
• Decide what’s right for you – If the gap between your values and your organisation’s is too wide to bridge, it may be time to reconsider whether you’re in the right place. Long-term success and fulfillment come from working in environments where you feel a genuine connection to the organisation’s purpose.

But, what if you’re not aligned with your direct line manager’s values? This is actually a more problematic issue, and one that can be more challenging as misalignment with your line manager can influence and impact on your professional success and that of your personal life too – believe me, I know!

Misalignment with your direct line manager’s values or leadership practices can be particularly challenging, especially when they have a significant influence on your day-to-day work experience. If you find yourself in this situation, try taking some of these actions:

• Clarify Your Own Values – First, get crystal clear on what your core values are and how they show up in your leadership and work. Knowing this will help you navigate conversations and decisions with more confidence.
• Look for Common Ground – Even if your manager’s values differ from yours, try to find areas of alignment in the goals you’re both trying to achieve. Focus on the common objectives and see if you can collaborate based on shared outcomes, if not shared values.
• Have a Candid Conversation – Addressing values misalignment can be difficult, but open communication is essential. Approach your manager respectfully and express how certain practices or decisions feel out of step with your own values. Frame it as an opportunity to find solutions that allow for better collaboration and mutual respect.
• Set Boundaries – If your manager’s practices conflict with your values, think about where you can set boundaries for yourself. This might involve declining certain tasks that compromise your integrity or finding ways to work in alignment with your values within your role.
• Be Proactive About Change – If the misalignment is too great, it may be worth considering whether there are internal opportunities to work under a different leader, or whether it’s time for a larger career move. Staying in an environment that consistently challenges your values can lead to burnout or dissatisfaction.

Coping with value misalignment can be emotionally draining, but it’s also an opportunity to build resilience and exercise agency. When we’re out of sync with our organisation’s or manager’s values, it’s crucial to remember that we have the power to influence our circumstances – both in the short term and the long term.

Resilience is about how well we can adapt to and recover from challenges. In moments of misalignment, this might look like taking time for self-reflection, journaling, practicing mindfulness, or seeking support from trusted colleagues. Building your resilience allows you to maintain your integrity and remain grounded, even when external factors feel out of control. Should you wish to explore the benefits of leadership journaling, you can access my journaling prompts here.

You may not always be able to change the values of your organisation or manager, but you do have control over your own actions and decisions. Take ownership of how you respond to the situation. Whether it’s initiating difficult conversations, setting boundaries, or exploring new opportunities, exercising your agency helps you feel empowered rather than victimised by the circumstances.

Instead of dwelling on the misalignment, focus on areas where you can make an impact. This could mean leading by example, embodying your values in your daily interactions, and contributing to projects that resonate with you.

Value misalignment doesn’t always have to be permanent. Use these moments as a chance to grow as a leader and learn how to navigate complexity with grace. This resilience will serve you well, whether you stay in your current role or move on to a new chapter in your career.

Ultimately, being resilient and exercising your agency helps you maintain a sense of purpose and direction, even when external alignment isn’t perfect. Staying true to your values while finding ways to cope with or address misalignment ensures that you lead with authenticity—no matter the challenge.

Values is such a little word, but it’s a word that has a mighty punch. I’d encourage you to explore your values today and consider how they influence your life at work and rest.

It’s like uncovering the secret to life – truly transformational!