Core Values: Our North Star

My father is a simple man. Stubborn, sure, but simple. 🙂 He’s the kind of person who believes in doing what’s right, working hard, and staying honest. In fact, he works so much that sometimes it feels like there’s nothing else on his mind. You could say he’s a bit too dedicated to his work.

Like most teenagers, I was pretty convinced I knew better than everyone - my parents, teachers, and just about every other authority figure in my life at the time. During this time, my father was excelling in his professional role—specializing in hydraulic machines and manufacturing. He had incredible self-confidence and didn’t shy away from standing his ground. Whether you were the CEO or someone who reported to him, if he thought he was right, he’d make his point. I never dared to disrespect him, but during my teenage years, I had a big issue with one thing: his uncompromising honesty.

My dad was the head of production at a pretty modern manufacturing unit, overseeing a diverse team. His peers led Sales, Marketing, and Finance. The finance guy often needed my Dad's help with what what I reckon was the most basic requirements of his job. My Dad was always asked to attend and run Sales Conferences. Basically he was pulling much more than his weight while other slacked a lot.

I would like to point out here that we had an extremely comfortable and loving upper middle-class upbringing but at a certain point during my high school years, it seemed to me that his peers were living more lavishly than us—driving nicer cars, living in bigger houses, and owning more “stuff” than we did. It bothered me. I would think why couldn’t my Dad bend the rules a bit like others racked my brain regularly? Why didn’t he leverage his skills for consulting gigs or ask for higher pay? I also started noticing that my parents were always helping our relatives when they needed help but the vice versa wasn't always true. They would always say, they are family. Perplexed I would question their ideals and my parents would say "you and your sister are our real success barometer. If you turn out to be good, educated, responsible members of the society, you won't need me to build mansions and accumulate extreme wealth for you."

Sometime around High School, I made a promise to myself: I would not be like my parents. I didn't know any better back then. Fast forward to today. I’m 47, and guess what? I find that I am a lot like my dad and my mom. The reason? Two words—core values.

The Core Values That Shaped My Parents

My parents live by a handful of core values that have guided them through life:

• Honesty and Integrity

• A belief that hard work can get you through anything life throws at you

• Education and Independent Thinking

• Family

These values have shaped every decision they’ve made, and because they live in alignment with these values, they’re content.

From a young age, we watch our parents and learn how they navigate life. We observe their motivations, decision-making processes, how they handle adversity, treat others, behave when no one’s watching, and how they support those less fortunate. As we grow, these observations shape our own core values.

I firmly believe that these core values define how we live our lives. Sure, our experiences might add a few layers to them, but the inherited core remains largely the same.

My Core Values

Here are the core values that guide me through life:

• Honesty and Integrity

• Hard work and Accountability

• Family and Friendships

• Adventure

• Authenticity

• Contentment

• Optimism

• Acts of Service

Every time I stray from these values, I feel out of sync. When I align my goals with them, I experience a sense of fulfillment and contentment, even during tough times.

Let’s Talk About Your Core Values

So, what about you? I encourage you to take some time over the next few days to think about your own core values. Reflect on your past experiences, the good and the bad. Were the positive moments aligned with your core values? Chances are they were.

Here’s a simple framework to guide you:

Core Values → Goals and Objectives → Strategy

1. List Your Core Values: What principles are most important to you?

2. Define Goals and Objectives: Align them with your core values.

3. Create a Strategy: Develop a plan to achieve your goals while staying true to your values.

As your goals evolve, always refer back to your core values. If they don’t align, consider adjusting your goals or strategies. Think of your core values as your North Star—they guide you continuously, not just once.

A Few Personal Examples

For instance, I’m not particularly motivated by money. I want to be compensated fairly for my work, but money isn’t a big driver for me. That’s why it’s not in my Top 10 core values. I don’t make decisions purely for financial reasons, and I don’t get envious of people with lots of money.

On the other hand, one of my core values is family. For me, that means my son, my parents, and my sister’s family. My time with my son is non-negotiable—no amount of money can replace that. It’s just not for sale. 🙂

I also value adventure. I take calculated risks, and I try to live authentically. Sure, I’ve been taken advantage of a few times, but I won’t let that change my values. Shame on the people who may have tricked me—I’m proud of who I am.

So, what about you? What are your core values? How often do you find yourself compromising on them? Is most of what you do aligned with those values? If not, maybe its time to give it some thought. Perhaps the above exercise with help.

Choose bold, and live by your core values.

Image Credit: NASA/Preston Dyches

Share This