15 Company Values That Will Transform Your Culture

According to Gallup, global employee engagement declined to 21% in 2024, marking only the second drop in the past 12 years. This decline cost the global economy an estimated $438 billion in lost productivity, and 20% of employees reported experiencing loneliness the previous day.

The data paints a sobering picture: workplace wellbeing is unraveling and businesses could be paying the price. But there's also an opportunity: these statistics underscore the importance of fostering a strong company culture rooted in clear, actionable values that prioritize wellbeing and build more connected teams.

When employees feel connected to their organization's mission and values (and new employees are onboarded to them), they are more likely to be engaged, productive, and satisfied with their work. On the other hand, a lack of alignment between personal and organizational values can lead to disengagement, decreased morale, and higher turnover rates.

In this article, we'll explore 15 essential company values that can serve as the foundation for a thriving organizational culture. We'll also discuss how developing and embracing these values can enhance employee engagement, align teams with business goals, and contribute to long-term success.

Why company values matter

Company values are more than just words on a wall. They are the guiding principles that shape every aspect of your organization. When clearly defined and consistently applied, these values influence hiring decisions, daily operations, and long-term strategies, creating a cohesive and purpose-driven workplace.

When companies implement human-centric values—such as visionary, ethical, work, and customer-oriented values—they experience a positive impact on financial performance. And companies that include vision and values statements and possess a longer vision statement and more company values on their websites are more likely to be ranked higher in the Fortune 1000.

• Improve employee engagement: Employee engagement hit an all-time low in 2024, with only 31% of employees reporting they were engaged in their jobs. Engaged employees are more likely to be productive, satisfied, and committed to their roles. Align hiring practices with company culture and values to foster engagement from the outset.
• Align with business goals: Values provide a framework for decision-making, ensuring that actions at all levels align with the company's mission and objectives. When you integrate values into everyday activities, you can strengthen alignment and drive business success.
• Attract and retain talent: A strong set of company values can attract candidates who resonate with your culture, leading to a better fit and lower turnover. Culture is also a critical component in retaining top talent.
• Improve profitability: Organizations with a clear set of values often experience better financial performance due to enhanced employee morale and customer satisfaction. The data shows that engaged employees are tied to increased profitability and productivity.

15 values that fuel a thriving culture

Building a strong company culture starts with defining values that guide your team’s behaviors, decisions, and work ethic. Below, we explore 15 core values that have the power to transform a workplace.

1. Integrity

Integrity forms the foundation of any strong organization. When your team understands and practices honesty and transparency, it leads to trust, alignment, and consistent decision-making. Foster an open communication culture where honesty is valued, integrity is evaluated in the hiring process, and mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities. Even large, multinational companies like Amazon build trust by promoting integrity in interactions with their customers and employees.

2. Innovation

Encouraging innovation empowers employees to contribute new ideas and solutions, keeping your company competitive and forward-thinking. Create an environment where experimentation is encouraged and employees are motivated to do the right thing as part of the learning process. Companies like Google actively encourage innovation by offering spaces and opportunities for employees to develop creative solutions.

3. Collaboration

By working together, employees can leverage varied skills and perspectives, ultimately driving better results. Encourage cross-functional teams and set up team-building exercises to encourage collaboration.

4. Accountability

A culture of accountability ensures that every employee takes ownership of their actions, leading to better performance and trust. Set clear expectations and provide regular feedback to help employees stay on track.

5. Respect

Respect creates an inclusive environment where every employee feels valued and heard. Lead by example—treat others with respect, and encourage employees to do the same in all interactions. Cultures defined by inclusion and respect promote psychological safety, which enables employees to be their best selves and do their best work.

6. Customer-centricity

A customer-first approach helps ensure that your business is always aligned with customer needs, ultimately driving loyalty and long-term success. Regularly gather customer feedback and use it to guide product development, mission statements, and service improvements.

7. Diversity and inclusion

Embracing diversity and fostering inclusion leads to more creative, innovative teams and ensures everyone feels welcome and valued. Companies like Adobe have embedded diversity and inclusion at the heart of their operations, promoting a culture of belonging.

8. Sustainability

Sustainability isn't just about environmental impact—it’s also about creating long-term value for stakeholders and communities and showing your commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR). Build sustainability goals into your business operations and involve employees in environmental initiatives.

9. Excellence

Striving for excellence motivates employees to achieve their best work and drives continuous organizational improvement across all areas of the business. Companies lthat prioritize excellence can count on their teams to innovate and deliver high-quality work.

10. Empathy

Empathy in the workplace allows employees to connect on a deeper level, fostering stronger relationships and a more supportive environment. Offer empathy training for leaders to better understand and respond to employee needs.

11. Adaptability

Adaptability ensures that your team can pivot in response to new challenges, shifting markets, or external pressures, helping businesses stay competitive. Companies like Microsoft embrace adaptability, encouraging employees to thrive in changing environments.

12. Transparency

When leadership is open about the company’s direction, performance, and obstacles, employees feel more connected to the organization’s mission. Share key business updates and performance metrics with the entire team to maintain alignment and build a sense of ownership.

13. Work-life balance

Prioritizing work-life balance helps employees avoid burnout and maintain long-term productivity and wellbeing. Offer flexible work arrangements, wellness programs, and time off policies to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives.

14. Fun

Creating a fun workplace boosts morale, fosters creativity, and strengthens team relationships. Incorporate team-building activities, social events, or fun office spaces to encourage a more relaxed and positive work environment.

15. Learning and development

A strong learning and development program helps companies stay innovative and ensures that employees remain competitive in their roles. Offer access to training programs, mentorship opportunities, and career development resources (then track it as a metric) to help employees grow both personally and professionally.