Core values are the compass points of our lives. They inform our choices, shape our relationships and guide how we respond to challenges. Unlike goals, which can come and go, values describe what we stand for at the deepest level.
Because values are often unconscious, articulating them can be transformative. Clarifying your values helps you understand what motivates you, how you wish to show up in the world and which opportunities align with your true priorities.
To support your exploration, this article offers two complementary resources.
- A research-based framework of 48 core values organised under four themes—Belonging, Growth, Impact and Fulfilment—to help you reflect on different dimensions of a balanced life.
- An alphabetical directory of 101 values you can browse to spark inspiration and refine your own personal or organisational list.
- As you review these lists, aim to identify three to five values that resonate most deeply. Focus on qualities that truly reflect who you are and what matters to you rather than ideals you think you “should” hold.
The List of Core Values
If you’d prefer a downloadable, print-friendly PDF version of our values list, you are welcome to access this free resource below.
For those of you who prefer to stay on this web page, please review the following values categories. When selecting values, think about how you are rather than how you would like to be.
You’ll want to aim for a maximum of 5 core values. Remember, the point is to uncover the essence of what matters most to you rather than selecting everything you desire.
| Belonging Love Friendship Respect Fairness Community Empathy Kindness Intimacy Family Teamwork Collaboration Inclusion | Growth Learning Achievement Curiosity Balance Physical Fitness Mental Fitness Skill Mastery Resilience Adaptability Creativity Courage Honesty |
| Impact Influence Status Wealth Credibility Risk-Taking Autonomy Leadership Advocacy Visibility Authority Accomplishment Reputation | Fulfillment Peace Gratitude Wisdom Spirituality Social Contribution Nature Stewardship Vocation Philanthropy Transcendence Legacy Altruism Awe |
In addition to using a list such as the one above, there are many other ways to discover your core values. We explore this topic deeply in the Values Course, which is designed for those seeking a guided learning experience.
An Alphabetical List of 101 Core Values
For a more comprehensive list of values, not grouped by any specific categories, we’ve compiled the following list. This list is perfect for organizations or individuals wishing to explore a wide spectrum of possible core values.
- Accountability
- Adaptability
- Altruism
- Ambition
- Authenticity
- Balance
- Boldness
- Compassion
- Commitment
- Cooperation
- Courage
- Creativity
- Curiosity
- Determination
- Diligence
- Discipline
- Diversity
- Empathy
- Equality
- Excellence
- Fairness
- Flexibility
- Freedom
- Generosity
- Gratitude
- Harmony
- Honesty
- Honor
- Humility
- Improvement
- Independence
- Individuality
- Influence
- Innovation
- Inspiration
- Integrity
- Inclusivity
- Joyfulness
- Justice
- Kindness
- Leadership
- Loyalty
- Mindfulness
- Moderation
- Open-mindedness
- Optimism
- Originality
- Passion
- Patience
- Perseverance
- Persistence
- Precision
- Pragmatism
- Professionalism
- Proactivity
- Prudence
- Punctuality
- Purity
- Quality
- Quietness
- Realism
- Reflection
- Reliability
- Respect
- Respectfulness
- Responsibility
- Resilience
- Resourcefulness
- Security
- Self-control
- Self-improvement
- Service
- Simplicity
- Sincerity
- Solidarity
- Spirituality
- Spontaneity
- Stability
- Supportiveness
- Sustainability
- Sympathy
- Teamwork
- Thoughtfulness
- Thrift
- Timeliness
- Tolerance
- Tranquility
- Transparency
- Trust
- Trustworthiness
- Understanding
- Uniqueness
- Unity
- Vitality
- Volunteering
- Warmth
- Watchfulness
- Willpower
- Wisdom
- Zeal
- Zest
