Pyramid of values

When it comes to values, it’s often hard to clearly define which ones are your core values — this applies both at a personal level and in business.

💫Values can help you know that you are doing what’s right for you. At a company level, values help guide hiring decisions, define team norms, and set the standard for how we build a culture where people share the same foundational beliefs to move forward together.

If this is something you’re working on, I usually recommend a simple but effective exercise: use a card deck or write all potential values on sticky notes. Then, as a team, build a pyramid.

💥Start by selecting the top 4–5 values that should sit at the base of the pyramid.

Then choose 3 that are most important above those.

Finally, pick the top 2 values that you believe should guide everything.

Once the pyramid is built, reflect on what made it to the bottom — the most foundational layer.

Do you all agree with those 4 or 5 being your core values? Which ones were most consistently chosen? Those are likely your shared core values.

Then ask:

Avoid aspirational fluff. Instead, identify what already exists and what you want to reinforce or improve.

Values should be lived, not just listed.👀

Each value should be short, memorable, and specific (e.g., instead of "Integrity," say "Do the right thing, even when no one’s watching").

🧠👀🙇‍♂‍If you’re doing this on a personal level, ask 2 or 3 people who know you well to select the 5 values they believe define you, and ask them to rank them from 1 to 5–1 being the most visible in your behavior. Then ask them to choose 2 or 3 values they don’t associate with you at all.

But before you ask anyone else, do this exercise yourself. Reflect honestly, compare your answers with theirs, and explore where the gaps and alignments are.

For each value, include a short description or examples of behaviors. Try to define the principles you stand by and the team norms that apply. Make sure these help people understand what the value looks like in action.