What is the value of knowing your values? Here's a simple but powerful exercise I often run with people I coach.
This exercise is designed to help you uncover your core values—the principles that quietly shape your choices, reactions, motivations, and sense of fulfilment. The more clearly you understand your values, the easier it becomes to align your decisions and actions with what truly matters.
Here’s how to run the exercise:
1. Lay out the cards
Either go through them one at a time or spread out the Core Values cards where you can see them all. Take your time to read each one. You’re not looking for what sounds impressive or what you should care about—you’re looking for what feels true.
2. First pass: Narrow it down
Sort the cards into two piles:
- 🟢 “Yes – this definitely resonates”
- 🔴 “No – this doesn’t feel like a core value for me”
Try to go with your gut. Don’t overthink it.
3. Second pass: The short list
Take your “Yes” pile, and go through it again aiming to narrow it down to about 8–10 cards. These should be the values that really matter—the ones you’d fight for, the ones that light you up, or the ones that feel most “you.”
4. Final pass: Top 4-6
Now get brutal. Which 4-6 values are your absolute core? These are the ones that show up again and again in your life—sometimes when things go well, and often when things go wrong. These are your anchors.
5. Sense check
For each of your core values, ask yourself:
- Where does this show up in my life?
- What happens when it’s ignored or blocked?
- How does this value guide my choices, consciously or unconsciously?
If you struggle to answer those, it might not be a core value after all—swap it out and test another.
6. Optional: Rank or cluster
Some people like to rank their top values. Others find it more useful to cluster them into themes (e.g. “connection” and “authenticity” might go together).
There’s no right answer—only what feels most meaningful to you.
💡 Want to go deeper?
Try using your core values as a lens when you’re stuck with a decision, navigating change, or facing something that feels like a threat. Ask:
- Which value is being challenged right now?
- Which value could help me move forward?
Sometimes the reframe is all you need.
If you’d like someone to walk you through the exercise—or explore how these values play out in your leadership or career—I’d be happy to help. Just drop me a message.
Or to get your own cards, you can go here.
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