Let’s talk about values. No, I’m not talking about figures on a spreadsheet or your bank account, I’m talking about leadership values, the deep-set principles that govern your decisions, actions, and how you navigate life. And yes, they’re more important than you might think. When I first started out, I thought values were these fluffy, nice-to-have things that sound great on paper but didn’t have much of an impact on real-life success. I didn’t know how wrong I was. You see, your values shouldn’t be pushed to the back like a spare tyre you forget to check. No, they should be driving the damn vehicle. If you push them aside, you’ll find yourself heading straight towards stress, disengagement, and—brace yourself—misery. It’s a road trip you don’t want to take.
Here’s an example from my own life. Early in my career, I was obsessed with climbing the corporate ladder. I wanted the big titles, the fancy office, the bigger pay check. Who doesn’t, right? But I didn’t realise that the leadership values I thought I had were slowly being suffocated by the grind. My values were freedom, autonomy, and purpose—but those weren’t being honoured at all. I was working crazy hours a week, doing work that didn’t bring me real joy, just to tick the boxes for “success.” Sure, my knowledge of finance was growing, but I was miserable. Miserable with no way out. And then it hit me—if I wanted to feel fulfilled, I had to start living my leadership values.
I had to make a choice—either keep pushing for the promotions and recognition that didn’t actually align with what I valued, or take a step back and truly ask myself, “What do I really want? What’s truly important to me?” So, I made the leap into entrepreneurship, where I could truly embrace my values. That’s when everything clicked. Suddenly, I wasn’t just chasing money, titles and promotions anymore. I was chasing freedom, the ability to work with purpose, and the chance to make a real difference.
That’s what leadership values do—they shape the direction of your career and your life. They give you the courage to take risks and align your work with your core beliefs. You might not see it immediately, but if your leadership values are in the backseat, eventually, they’ll start creeping up like a bad case of indigestion. And trust me, you don’t want to deal with that.
Think about it: if one of your top leadership values is freedom, you’ll find a way to get it, no matter what. You’ll leverage your knowledge, your skills, your network, and your strengths to create the space for it. In my case, my knowledge of business and leadership helped me transition from corporate life to running my own company. My values were my compass, and my knowledge was the fuel that allowed me to navigate new waters.
I’ve seen this shift happen in others too. One time, a coaching client of mine, a young professional in mergers and acquisitions, was about to quit her job to pursue an MBA and get into investment banking. But after digging into her values—things like work-life balance, mental health, and family—it was clear that investment banking, with its long hours and high stress, wasn’t a good fit. As much as she admired the career path, her values didn’t align with the reality of what the job entailed. I had to remind her: values are like your GPS—they tell you where to go, and more importantly, where not to go.
But here’s the thing—values are not set in stone. They evolve. Take me, for example. When I was starting out, I thought success was all about having the corner office and a team of people below me. But as I grew older (and hopefully wiser), my values shifted. Leadership values like freedom and autonomy became more important than titles and accolades. My knowledge of business and how it operates helped me realise that the old path wasn’t for me anymore. Leadership values aren’t just about grand gestures or defining your purpose in a single moment. They are a constant dialogue between you and the world around you. As you learn, grow, and challenge yourself, your values evolve. And sometimes, they change because your circumstances change.
Let’s face it—life throws curveballs at us. That’s where the beauty of values lies—they help you respond. I’ve had my fair share of tough times, particularly when I made the decision to move away from a corporate career and start my own business. It wasn’t smooth sailing, and things didn’t always go as planned. But it was my values of persistence and resilience, along with the knowledge I had gained over the years, that helped me push through. I could have let stress take over or tried to follow someone else’s idea of success, but instead, I leaned into what I truly valued—purpose, freedom, and impact. It wasn’t easy, but by staying true to those values and using the knowledge I had gained throughout my career, I was able to adapt and keep moving forward.
Now, here’s where things get tricky. Values aren’t always easy to live by. It takes courage, especially when your current situation doesn’t align with them. If you’ve been chasing someone else’s idea of success or compromising your values, it can feel pretty uncomfortable when you start living authentically. I’ve been there. I get it. But living your leadership values gives you a sense of clarity that nothing else will. It keeps you grounded, no matter how crazy the world around you seems. When your leadership values are at the forefront, you stop second-guessing yourself and begin to trust that you’re on the right path.
Another thing to keep in mind—knowledge isn’t just about what you learn in school or in a course. It’s about the life lessons you accumulate along the way. The more you apply those lessons and the knowledge you’ve gathered to your values, the more you start living with purpose. That’s where the magic happens. It’s like when you discover a new hobby or skill—let’s say I suddenly decided to take up figure-skating (don’t laugh, it could be true). The more I apply what I learn, the more I get better at it. Similarly, when you combine your knowledge with your leadership values, the results can be powerful.
Here’s what I’ll leave you with: Your leadership values are the GPS that guides you through life. If they aren’t aligned with your actions, expect to feel lost. And don’t be afraid if those values evolve over time—just make sure you’re living them. Leverage your knowledge, lean into your strengths, and trust that the more you stay true to your values, the more you’ll achieve your goals, in a way that makes you feel fulfilled.
And remember, as I always say—treat yourself as you could be, and you will become what you should be. Emerson had it right. So, let your leadership values take the wheel, and get comfortable with the fact that they’re probably going to steer you in some unexpected, but wildly rewarding, directions.
