I think most of us have that moment when our job clashes with who we are.
Just imagine your team leader insisting you “bend the truth” to make a client happy. Being an honest person, there will be a fight between your core beliefs and work. On one side, you have the pressure to listen to your lead, and on the other side, you can’t go against your values.
This is where values-based living comes in. It’s not just a corporate buzzword or a motivational poster line, it’s about making sure the work you do doesn’t betray the person you are. And trust me, once you align the two, the way you show up in life and work completely transforms.
What Do We Even Mean by “Values”?
Values are those invisible signposts that guide how you think, act, and make choices. They’re not the same as goals (which change with time). Values are deeper, they are about who you are at your core (when no one is watching you).
For some, it’s honesty. For others, it’s growth, balance, or creativity. These aren’t “nice-to-have skills”. They are the foundation. When we ignore them, we feel out of sync. But when we honor them, we feel energized.
Values serve as your personal compass. Without them, you are just wandering aimlessly. With them, even if you take a wrong turn, you know how to get back on track.
The Mismatch Problem
On average, we spend one-third of our lives at work. If your job conflicts with your values, it is like wearing shoes that get two inches smaller every single day. Sure, you can walk, but it is going to hurt, and eventually, you’ll stop enjoying the journey altogether.
Imagine a person who values teamwork working in a place with an “every man works for himself” office culture. Or someone who values honesty is forced to sugarcoat reports for senior management. That tension does not just cause stress, it chips away at self-respect.
And the fact is, burnout isn’t always about long hours. Sometimes it’s about misalignment. You can be working fewer hours, but still feel exhausted if every day feels like a compromise of who you are. Just imagine it as a bird that is always flying under the sky and is now caged.
How to Discover Your Core Values
Many of us never sit down to ask: What do I truly stand for? We just go with the flow until one day we feel stuck. So how do you figure it out?
Here are a few prompts to get you started:
- The Anger Test: Notice when you feel most frustrated at work? That often reveals when your values are being violated. For example, if micromanagement makes you furious, maybe freedom is your core value.
- The Joy Test: When do you feel alive and proud of what you’re doing? That’s your values being honored.
- The Role Model Question: Think of someone you admire. What qualities do they embody that resonate with you?
Write these down, and you’ll see patterns; those are your values.
Bringing Values into Your Career
Okay, so you have identified your values. Next is to follow the value. It is about alignment, not perfection. Here’s how you can start living them at work:
1. Choose Work That Resonates
Choose the work that makes you feel more alive. This does not mean quitting tomorrow and moving to the mountains (unless that is your thing). It means being intentional. Suppose you value creativity, look for roles or projects that let you innovate and bring your creative side.
2. Set Boundaries
If you value family time, protect it like a non-negotiable. That might mean saying “no” to late-night emails. By saying no, you set healthy boundaries. Remember, boundaries are not barriers, they are shields that protect what matters most.
3. Speak Up
No matter how small the matter is for others, if it matters to you, have the courage to speak up because even small acts of speaking from your values create ripple effects. Remember, silence often means complicity.
4. Find Micro-Alignments
The truth is that we can’t change the whole system. But we can find small ways to live our values daily. It can be mentoring a junior colleague (when you value growth) or leading meetings with honesty (if integrity is your anchor).
Story Time
Here comes my favorite part of the blog, story telling. Remember The Lion King? Simba runs away from his responsibilities because he is scared. He hides behind “Hakuna Matata,” living a carefree but unfulfilled life. But when he realigns with his true values, courage, responsibility, and loyalty, he steps into his full self as king.
That’s us at work. Avoiding misalignment might feel easier at first, but real fulfillment comes when you own your values and let them guide you. That’s when you meet your true self.
The Payoff of Living Your Values
When your work aligns with your values, everything shifts. Here is what happens:
- More Energy: You are no longer drained by constant internal battles, and you don’t have to put extra effort into being motivated. In short, you get happy and satisfied with what you are doing.
- Better Decisions: When you live life by following your values, you are able to make better decisions. Values act as a filter, what feels right becomes clearer.
- Deeper Connections: People trust and respect those who are authentic.
- Resilience: Even in tough times, values give you a sense of purpose.
Research even shows that employees who live in alignment with their core values have higher job satisfaction and lower turnover rates.
When Things Don’t Align
The truth is not every workplace will align perfectly with your values. So, how do you handle when you hit a clash? Follow these simple steps:
Evaluate the Gap: Evaluate whether the situation is temporary (like a tough project: situation can be changed) or systemic (toxic culture: situation can’t be changed).
Seek Allies: Find colleagues who share the same values as yours, as it makes the misalignment easier to navigate. When we talk to someone like-minded, there is more understanding than judgement.
Plan an Exit (if needed): If the gap is too wide, it may be time to look elsewhere. Staying in a place that consistently undermines your values can erode your confidence and happiness.
A Practical Exercise: The Values Check-In
Here’s something simple you can do every Friday:
- Write down your top 3 values.
- Ask: Did I live these out this week?
- Where did I feel aligned? Where did I feel conflict?
- What small changes can I make next week?
It’s like flossing for your soul, small, consistent actions that prevent bigger issues later.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, careers will come and go, job titles will change, industries will evolve, but the only things that will stay are your values. Those are yours for life.
Living and working by your values does not mean every day will be perfect. It means you’ll be able to look at yourself in the mirror and know you did not betray who you are for a paycheck or for others’ approval.
So, the next time you are faced with a career decision, big or small, take a pause and ask: Does this align with what I believe in?
Because success without alignment is just noise. But success with alignment? That’s fulfillment. That’s peace. That’s the kind of life worth building.
This isn’t the end. It’s the awkward ‘please follow us’ part. LinkedIn and Instagram. You know what to do.
