The Power of Core Values: Why They Matter for Companies and Employees

Cathie Leimbach • May 6, 2025

Having strong core values is like giving your company a compass. These values guide decisions, shape culture, and help everyone work toward the same goals. When employees connect with these values, both they and the company benefit in many ways.


First, core values create a sense of unity. When everyone follows the same principles, teamwork becomes easier. People understand what matters and why certain choices are made. This shared understanding builds trust among coworkers.


Core values also make decision-making simpler. When facing tough choices, employees can ask, "Does this align with our values?" This creates consistency across the organization and helps avoid confusion.


For employees, connecting with company values brings greater job satisfaction. Working for an organization whose principles match your own feels meaningful. You're not just earning a paycheck—you're contributing to something you believe in.


If your organization doesn’t have core values, or you have values on paper that are no longer relevant,click here for a tool to help you identify values that express your business principles. 


Companies with clear values tend to attract people who naturally fit their culture. This leads to stronger teams, less turnover, and better performance. When new hires already share your values, they adapt more quickly and stay longer.



Finally, strong core values build customer trust. When a company consistently lives its values, people notice. This authenticity creates loyalty that advertising alone cannot buy.

How Managers Drive 70% of Performance

By Cathie Leimbach • February 17, 2026
Most CEOs focus on strategy, systems, and talent. But the biggest driver of performance is already in place: managers. Manager behavior influences about 70% of team engagement and results. What happens in everyday conversations matters more than perks, pay, or policies. Managers either multiply energy or drain it. Clear, supportive managers raise performance. Avoiding, inconsistent managers quietly lower it. The good news? Small habits make a big difference: Clarifying expectations Giving timely feedback Addressing issues early Reinforcing priorities These moments add up. Instead of telling managers to “motivate people,” try asking: Where might expectations be unclear? Where is inconsistency allowed? What conversation is being avoided? When managers improve just a little, results improve a lot. 👉 Join our 60-minute Leadership Conversation to explore how everyday manager habits quietly shape engagement and results.

Why Engagement Isn’t About Perks

By Cathie Leimbach • February 10, 2026
When engagement drops, many organizations reach for perks—rewards, programs, or incentives. These can create a short lift, but they rarely solve the real issue. Engagement starts with expectations. Most people want to do good work. What gets in the way isn’t motivation—it’s uncertainty. When priorities shift, roles feel unclear, or success means different things to different leaders, people disengage quietly. Leaders often don’t realize they’re contributing to this. Vague direction, inconsistent follow-through, or assuming “they already know” leaves teams guessing. Over time, guessing turns into frustration—and frustration turns into disengagement. Strong engagement cultures focus on leadership basics: Clear priorities Shared definitions of success Aligned expectations Consistent reinforcement When expectations are clear, people move with confidence. They take ownership, collaborate better, and stay engaged because they know where they’re headed. Perks can support engagement—but only after clarity is in place. 👉 Read our full article on Why Engagement Starts With Expectations to turn clarity into a real advantage.