---

---

This philosophy has recently been a guiding force in my life and career, teaching me the importance of aligning my values with how I live and work.  

Early in my career, pivotal moments tested this. These experiences shaped my career decisions and how I operated as a leader. Ultimately, these moments reinforced the importance of strong values in my everyday life.  

Looking back, I’m happy to say that there have been wonderful times when things were moving smoothly and felt good, both in work and in my personal life. And, I’ve also had times when I’ve been carrying feelings of dissatisfaction, anxiety and worry. 

I now recognise that proactively engaging in activities that align with my values gives me a far greater sense of energy, calm and purpose – and leads to a much happier, more productive me.  

So how do we manage that balance, between our values, our work, and our personal life? Especially when such a task is rarely easy. 

At The Core of Things 

My core values have remained consistent in my career. Health, Reliability, Optimism, Belonging and Empathy.  

Health is a priority; because I’m at my best when I focus on it. The experiences I’ve had also show time and time again that health is a precious gift to look after, and never to be taken for granted.  

Reliability is fundamental to trust and authentic relationships. Do people show up for you without added pressure? Do they do what they say they’re going to do? I always strive to give my best and show my authentic self and aim to demonstrate the importance of this to others.  

Optimism is the fuel of my energy. A good amount of cheeriness not only uplifts me but has a contagious effect on those around me. 

Belonging, because I enjoy the company of others and benefit massively from the joy and inspiration it brings. I also know that in challenging situations I can do far more when I feel included and valued for what I bring.  

Empathy, which is demonstrated by listening, understanding, and showing care. I recognise how powerful empathy is in making people feel seen and heard. How it takes the heat and pressure out of tricky situations. I’ve also seen how it serves me well as a leader, facing the hard challenges that come with the role.   

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on my journey so far and where I want to go next.  When I checked in to assess how everything measures up against my values, I recognise that I am holding fast to them in many ways – but there’s still room for improvement.  

Finding Alignment with Your Values at Work  

It’s not always easy to find the right role at a company where their mission and culture aligns fully with your personal values. In response to many factors, including a fluctuating global economy and a turbulent political environment, company cultures naturally change alongside this. When this happens, internal cultures are likely to change, new requirements are needed, and this often leads to a new direction that can run against your own values.  

According to a Sustainable Brands Survey, 35% of employees in the UK and US have left their job because their values don’t align with the company’s values.  

I experienced this many years ago. I raised concerns about a peer’s behaviour towards junior team members. My peer was well tenured and well loved, so it was difficult to bring up. I had nothing to gain from it but was driven by a sense of moral duty. When my concerns were dismissed, the experience cemented in my mind what I truly value: integrity and reliability above all. With trust in the workplace hitting new lows, this remains a constant thought to me. 

Of course, aligning your values at work doesn’t need to be as dramatic as moving to a new company, as I did.  

Sometimes, it’s just a question of spending time with the right people in the right way. I have glorious memories of taking part in office golf in my early days, and more recently meeting for lunch or coffee check-ins with those who are important to me. I actively seek to meet people who are different from me, to get diverse perspectives, learn and challenge my own thinking. But I also spend quality time with people that have similar values to me. Those particular moments of connection and belonging help me to ground and re-energise – they help solidify my values further. 

As a leader, I also aim to authentically lead with these values; I teach what I preach as it were. For example, when leading teams through significant changes or restructuring, empathy becomes integral to the process. By prioritising open communication and listening, I have been able to build trust and ensure team members feel supported through the transition. I make it my goal to bring a calm and listening ear in 1:1’s, to provide that reliable safe space, and to support their needs at that moment. 

Finding Alignment Beyond Work  

It’s not, and never should be, all about your job.  

So much of my identity has been linked to my career, but after about 20 years I’ve recognised that my energy, worth and purpose comes from considering my whole life (not just my work). I now recognise the importance of setting firm boundaries and creating healthy habits. 

More recently I’ve had the conviction to be more disciplined with my time, ensuring that the things that are important to me, such as eating well, exercising, or going for a walk are always met. In the past these were often deprioritised.  

Journaling, gratitude and affirmations are a strong part of this too. Even as a natural optimist, I’m human and sometimes life inevitably brings me down – and that includes the voice in my own head. Taking a minute to read a list of affirmations instantly energises my mindset and eases any feelings of self-doubt and anxiety. Statements like “I make choices and choose to be positive and happy,” and “I relax, knowing I can handle it all,” physically relax me and my thoughts.  

Feel The Fear and Do it Anyway is a fantastic book by Susan Jeffers. It talks about the power of affirmations and introduces the concept of the “whole life.” My take on the concept is that by paying equal attention to all the valued aspects of my life, such as my family, my friends, my personal growth, leisure time and work, helps to bring your values into focus. Reframing the size of each “box” in my life has helped me to achieve my goals and enjoy every day, instead of joy being ring-fenced to weekends and holidays. In turn, it’s also provided me with the energy and resilience I need when dealing with challenges that arise in any of these areas. 

Finding Direction in 2025  

As winter wraps up another year it’s a good time to think of new ways to align our lives with our core values. Through thoughtful reflection we discover powerful opportunities for growth and transformation. 

Start by examining your fundamental values – those guiding principles that you hold onto strongly and that light your path forward. Take stock of areas where these values shine brightly and spots needing extra attention. 

Transformative habits emerge naturally from this reflection. A morning workout ritual might strengthen your commitment to wellbeing while journaling cultivates lasting optimism. Daily practices will create resilience for navigating life’s inevitable storms. 

Consider how personal and professional aspirations also connect with your values. When goals spring from authentic principles, motivation flows naturally. Complex choices become clearer through this lens; whether weighing career moves or social commitments. Your values will always function as an internal compass pointing toward genuine fulfilment.  

By consciously aligning daily actions with core personal principles extraordinary possibilities unfold. When work and values meet in harmony, previously unimaginable impact awaits discovery. Energy increases, resilience deepens, and a profound sense of purpose emerges.  

Article written by Vicky Bourne, VP of Talent