Core values – do simple ones work?

Many companies place a high emphasis on values—the cultural and behavioral principles that guide mindsets and actions. These organizations often attribute their success to a strong foundation of values, and this belief does hold true.

A review of values from prominent organizations in India reveals principles such as ownership mindset, innovativeness, excellence, teamwork, commitment, passion, seamlessness, dignity of the individual, professionalism, and dedication. All of these are commendable and undoubtedly contribute to the success of these entities.

However, many of these values are challenging to define and even harder to instill across thousands of employees and countless touchpoints.

I once worked under a leader who defined his values as hard work, discipline, integrity, and a strong focus on both customers and employees. He embodied these values, making them easier to communicate and adopt.

Hard work meant that everyone was expected to put in extra effort to maximize their output. Discipline involved strictly adhering to established guidelines, even at a personal cost. Integrity implied zero tolerance for compromise and not offering the benefit of doubt in ambiguous situations.

This leader personally reviewed the appraisals of the top six levels before finalizing annual grades. These values were straightforward, easily understood, and widely practiced.

By role modeling these principles, he demonstrated that simple, fundamental values can drive a business as effectively—if not more so—than a more complex set of ideals.