What values drive you - and how do they appear in your leadership?

1. Values card sorting exercise

Create a deck of index cards with different values written on them. You can find a list of common values here. Then:

• create three categories – very important to me, important to me, less important to me
• work through the pile of cards, placing them in the relevant category
• you can only have a maximum of five cards in the ‘very important to me’ category; once you reach that number, if you want to include a new card you will have to move a card out into the ‘important to me’ column

When you have your final list of five values that are very important to you, reflect on how these values actively show up in your work and broader life.

2. Life experience exploration

Examine moments and activities that bring you the most fulfillment. Consider:

• what experiences make you feel most alive?
• which activities energize and inspire you?

If you find, for example, that volunteer work consistently brings you joy, you might identify compassion and community service as core values. Where else do these values show up for you?

3. Role model analysis

Reflect on people you genuinely admire and respect. Ask yourself:

• what specific qualities make these individuals stand out?
• what values do they embody that resonate with you?

For instance, if you admire a leader known for their transparency and open communication, you might realise these are important values to you. How might you go about integrating these values into your work?

4. The mirror of dislikes

Examine what irritates you most in others. These pet peeves often reflect your own deeply held values. For example, if you find yourself constantly frustrated by colleagues who miss deadlines, it may indicate that reliability and punctuality are core values for you.