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Identify Core Values
By RISE Business Framework · Created by Gary Harper and Brandon McCurdy · Reviewed
Core values are the principles that guide how a business makes decisions. RISE identifies them with a four-step exercise. You list words describing three impactful people, group similar words, label each group with one word, then add a verb. The result is up to four actionable core values.
How RISE does it
- Internalize: choose the 3 most impactful people in your life and 4 words for each.
- Categorize: group similar words into a maximum of four groupings.
- Visualize: circle one word in each grouping as its label.
- Verbalize: add a verb to each value so it becomes actionable.
- The shorthand for the sequence is Reflect, Group, Label and Act.
Identify Core Values is one of four tools in Long-Term Vision, part of the Inspiration quadrant of the RISE Business Framework.
The RISE tool
The four-step core values exercise
| Step | What you do |
|---|---|
| 1. Internalize | Choose 3 most impactful people in your life and list them. Then select the 4 words for each of them that describe what you most appreciate about them. |
| 2. Categorize | Group all similar values together. Create a maximum of four groupings. If you have more, drop the least important. |
| 3. Visualize | Choose one word within each grouping that represents the label for the entire group and circle it. |
| 4. Verbalize | Add a verb to each value, for example: Live in freedom. Act with mindfulness. Promote well-being. |
Finish by completing the line: MY CORE VALUES ARE:
“Core values are the soul of your organization. They dictate your company culture, hiring choices, and leadership style.”Gary Harper
AI RISE Coach
Work through Identify Core Values with the AI RISE Coach
“Walk me through Identify Core Values in the RISE Business Framework and help me apply it to my business.”
Quick self-check
“We have clearly defined core values that every team member knows and strives to keep.”
Frequently asked questions
How do you write core values for a small business?
Start with words describing people you admire, group them into no more than four themes and label each one. Add a verb so each value describes an action.
How many core values should a company have?
The RISE exercise caps it at four groupings. If you have more, drop the least important.
What are some examples of core values?
The RISE word bank includes Accountability, Honesty, Excellence, Teamwork and Service. Each becomes actionable with a verb, such as "Seek opportunities for making a difference."
The other tools in Long-Term Vision
- Identify Personal PurposeUse past, present and future prompts to write your personal purpose statement.
- Identify Company PurposeThe RISE Company Purpose Statement worksheet: what you love, your gift to the world and how you want to be remembered.
- Identify Key Purpose IndicatorOne clear measurement that proves your business is accomplishing the purpose it was born to accomplish.
Related in another quadrant: Stoplight Reports
