Do company values mean anything?

Every company I’ve ever worked for has done a terrible job of explaining their corporate values.

Here’s why:

Most companies list out values like “Integrity,” “Innovation,” or “Customer Focus” as if they’re checking off boxes.

But when you dig deeper, there’s rarely evidence backing up why these values actually matter to them.

They’re treated like buzzwords, not principles that guide the day-to-day decisions of the business.

Think about it:

When was the last time a company you worked for clearly demonstrated why a specific value was important or showed evidence of it being integrated into the business?

Most of the time, these values are printed on a website, not embedded in the culture. There’s a real disconnect between what’s said and what’s done.

Corporate values should be more than a vague list. They should be lived.

If companies actually want to build trust, they need to back up their claims with actions that reflect those values. Otherwise, they just become empty words.

What’s missing? 👇

1. No real examples
• Most companies don’t show specific examples of how these values influence decisions, behaviour, or strategy. It feels hollow.

2. Lack of accountability
• There’s no transparency on how companies measure whether they’re upholding these values. Are they even tracking it?

3. Disconnected from reality
• The values often don’t align with the real-world actions of leadership or the company’s direction. It’s hard to trust in values that aren’t actually practiced.

With the senior leaders I work with, the focus naturally shifts to company matters once we've tackled personal issues.

Often, leaders express frustration over how their company’s values don’t align with day-to-day actions, which impacts trust and engagement across their teams.

In these discussions, we dive into how to make values tangible, ensuring they’re not just buzzwords but principles that guide decisions and culture.

To fix this:

👉 Companies need to show their values in action.
👉 Share stories of how those values drive business decisions.
👉 Use metrics to track how well those values are being upheld.

It’s not enough to say it. Companies need to prove it.

How do you see corporate values playing out in the workplace?

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Whether from a past experience or something you’ve observed in general.

With love,
Dan