Values – ElPropósito4 min de lectura

Why what we value matters

In life, purpose is the helm that steers us where we want to go, and values decide how we travel. For individuals, teams and large organizations alike, values are the compass that keeps our decisions, actions and relationships in line with what we consider essential. They’re far more than nice words for a speech or a corporate handbook. Values are living principles that, once internalized, define our identity and give us clarity in uncertain moments. Purpose, the "what for" that moves us, depends directly on the values we choose, because without them it has no substance or direction. Picture a ship with a clear destination and no rules of navigation: sooner or later it drifts off course or sinks. Values are the foundation under any purpose, whether it belongs to a person, a team or a company.

In organizations, the link between purpose and values is even clearer. Companies that thrive have a well-defined strategy, and they make sure every member understands and adopts their values. Leaders insist on both because one doesn’t work without the other: strategy sets the course, and values keep the journey consistent, ethical and sustainable. A company may want to lead its industry, yet if its people don’t share values like integrity or collaboration, the culture will crack and results won’t last. That’s why executives invest time and resources in communicating, modeling and reinforcing these principles. They want every decision, from the smallest to the most strategic, to reflect what the organization really stands for. Without that clarity, corporate purpose fades and the company loses its soul.

For a team leader, there’s an extra layer. Corporate values set a general framework, and each team has its own dynamics, challenges and goals that call for a more specific approach. A good leader knows that defining the team’s values, always in tune with the company’s, is key to a strong, results-oriented culture. If the company values innovation, a team leader might turn that into "bold experimentation" for the group and encourage people to pitch ideas without fear of failing. These values hold the team together and directly affect results. When everyone knows what’s expected and which principles guide the work, decisions come faster, conflicts get resolved more easily and commitment grows. They also reinforce the corporate values, creating a web of principles that supports the whole organization.

On a personal level, values matter just as much. They help us judge what deserves our time, energy and attention, and they steer us toward a life in line with our purpose. Someone who values authenticity will look for relationships and projects where they can be themselves, and someone who prizes growth will keep learning and taking on new challenges. Values guide us and give us strength: when we decide based on them, we feel true to ourselves, and that brings satisfaction and well-being. Putting them into practice is as simple as reflecting on them and using them as a daily filter: does this action reflect what I value? Does it bring me closer to my purpose? Over time, that constant check turns values into habits that define who we are and how we affect the world.

Naming values is only the beginning. You have to live them. In an organization, leaders have to embody them first, because words without action breed distrust. On a team, it means creating moments that reinforce them, like meetings that recognize people who exemplify them or exercises that put them to the test. Personally, it takes commitment and self-awareness, because values change as we do and sometimes push us out of our comfort zone. At every level, consistency is the key: purpose without values is an empty dream, and values without purpose have no direction. When the two come together, they create a powerful force for growth, connection and success, in a person’s life, a team’s dynamics or an organization’s legacy.

So take a moment to reflect: what values guide your purpose? If you lead a team, have you defined principles that strengthen it and connect it to something bigger? If you’re part of an organization, do its values resonate with you? And above all, in your daily life, are you living by what you truly value? These questions are the starting point for building a meaningful life, team or company. What we value defines who we are and where we’re going.

While Sunday gives us a moment’s pause, I’ll leave you with two questions: what values are shaping your steps toward the purpose you long for? And how can you make them shine brighter this week to get closer to what really matters?

Warm regards and all the best,

Rodrigo Baccaro

Author: Rodrigo Baccaro

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