Values are the cornerstone of effective hiring. They define the qualities you seek in candidates, shape how you evaluate them, and ensure alignment with your mission. By embedding values into hiring practices—from targeted interview questions to scenario-based evaluations—you create a cohesive team with shared purpose. This clarity fosters retention, strengthens culture, and guides decision-making, building a workplace where belonging and trust thrive.
As Roy Disney said, “It’s not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.”
Why Values Matter in Hiring
Starting with your values creates a strong foundation for your hiring process and your team’s success. Let’s dive into why they matter and how they shape collaboration, retention, and efficiency.
Values are the foundation of a cohesive team. When team members share aligned values, it minimizes friction, fosters collaboration, and strengthens trust. For example, a team united by a shared commitment to open communication will likely resolve conflicts more efficiently, ensuring that collaboration remains productive. Similarly, shared values around innovation might inspire teams to embrace creative problem-solving, leading to groundbreaking results. These scenarios demonstrate how alignment in values directly enhances team dynamics and overall performance. Conversely, hiring individuals whose values diverge from your organization’s can lead to conflict and inefficiency. This misalignment often manifests as resistance to ideas or challenges in collaboration.
One of the first steps in leveraging values during hiring is assessing your current team. How well do they align with your values? You might find that those who struggle to buy into your mission have a disconnect with your core principles. While these conversations can be difficult, they often lead to necessary changes that ultimately strengthen your team. Reflecting on past experiences and what did not work can end up being an inspiration for values.
In upcoming posts, we’ll explore tools like the People Analyzer to evaluate alignment and make data-driven decisions about your team. For now, focus on defining and refining your values—this clarity will be your guide as you build a thriving, purpose-driven organization.
What They Are and Why They Matter
Once you understand the importance of values, the next step is defining them clearly. Your company’s values guide not only internal culture but also how you interact with customers and the world.
Company values are the principles that define your organization’s character and guide its actions. They provide a framework for decision-making, build internal alignment, and create a distinct competitive advantage. Values shape culture, strengthen connections among team members, and attract customers who resonate with your mission.
Consider two standout examples: Chick-fil-A and Zappos. These companies are known not just for their success but for the clarity and authenticity of their values, which directly influence their hiring practices. For example, Chick-fil-A’s emphasis on service and collaboration is reflected in how they seek team members with a natural inclination to serve others and work cohesively. Getting high schoolers to all say “my pleasure” does not just happen, it comes from intentional work founded on shared values.
Chick-fil-A Values
- We’re here to serve.
- We’re better together.
- We are purpose-driven.
- We pursue what’s next.
These values emphasize service, collaboration, purpose, and innovation—guiding their decisions and setting expectations for employees and customers alike.
Similarly, Zappos integrates their unique, customer-centered values into their interview process, asking candidates about past experiences that align with principles like creativity, humility, or building positive team spirit. These examples show how values can shape not only internal culture but also external hiring strategies.
Zappos Values
- Deliver WOW Through Service
- Embrace and Drive Change
- Create Fun and a Little Weirdness
- Be Adventurous, Creative, and Open-Minded
- Pursue Growth and Learning
- Build Open and Honest Relationships With Communication
- Build a Positive Team and Family Spirit
- Do More With Less
- Be Passionate and Determined
- Be Humble
Zappos’ values demonstrate their dedication to a customer-centered culture that prioritizes individuality, growth, and collaboration. These principles set them apart from competitors and cultivate loyalty among employees and customers alike.
Building Your Values
It is easy to see how Chick-fil-A and Zappos success came to be when you see their values listed out, but if you haven’t done this yet, where do you start? Creating meaningful and actionable values requires deep reflection. To get started, make space to answer the following questions:
- What does working here feel like?
- What does success mean to you?
- What personal values do you bring to the workplace?
- What quality do you possess that is different from a competitor?
- What is the most important takeaway for your customers and potential customers?
Developing your values isn’t a quick process. When I work with clients, we usually draft initial ideas over a few weeks. However, it’s essential to “try them on” for several months to ensure they resonate and are actionable. This iterative process allows you to adjust and refine your values as needed.
Consistency is critical. Nothing erodes trust faster than a culture where stated values don’t match actual behaviors. Take the time to align your actions and decisions with your defined values. Ensure they are evident in how you hire, onboard, and interact with your team and customers.
Once you have clearly defined your values, the next step is to map these into your hiring process. This involves identifying specific ways to assess whether potential hires align with your values during interviews, assessments, and onboarding. By doing this, you build a team that reflects your core principles and strengthens your organization’s culture.
Ready to take the next step? Begin defining your values today and start building the foundation for a cohesive, values-driven team. If you’re ready to create a values-driven team, reach out to start your business coaching journey today. Together, we can lay the foundation for a cohesive, purpose-driven organization.
Stay tuned for upcoming blogs, where we’ll explore practical methods like crafting interview questions and designing onboarding processes to seamlessly integrate your values into every aspect of hiring. In upcoming blogs, we’ll explore practical methods for applying these values, from crafting interview questions to designing onboarding processes that reinforce cultural alignment.
Black Creek Business Coaching 