To Succeed
You Need to Know
Your Core Values

I was speaking to a young business man who was in training to become the third generation to lead his family’s business.  I told him, “You have a great heritage to continue.  All you have to do is to keep doing good for people.” However, his blank expression concerned me.  It was as though a “Vacancy” sign lit up in effect saying “I do not know the core values that have made the organization successful for two generations.” I realized that without this understanding, it was unlikely that the organization could prosper under his leadership.

In order to be successful as individuals, families and organizations, we need to understand our core values.  Core values are essentially the ethics that we live by.  They are principles, standards, or qualities we consider worthwhile and desirable.  They dictate our behavior and help us get and stay motivated.