values
VAL-yooz
/ˈvæljuːz/
The principles or standards of behavior that a company regards as important.
In business, values are often explicitly stated in a 'mission statement' to guide decision-making.
The story behind the word. The word comes from the Latin 'valere,' meaning to be strong or worthy. It originally referred to the physical strength of a person before evolving to describe the 'strength' of one's convictions.
Word relationships
- principles: Principles are often seen as universal rules, while values are what a specific group chooses to prioritize.
- vices: Vices are negative traits or behaviors that contradict positive values.
Commonly confused with
- value: Value (singular) usually refers to worth or price; values (plural) refers to beliefs.
Word family
- valuable (adjective): Having great worth.
- evaluate (verb): To judge the worth of something.
Collocations
- core values
- shared values
- corporate values
Idioms & expressions
- value system
Example sentences
- "Our core values are the deeply ingrained principles that guide all of our company's actions." A CEO discussing organizational alignment.
Memory hook
Values are what you 'Value' most in your behavior. Values = Valuable beliefs.
When not to use
Avoid using in a corporate sense to mean 'monetary price' (e.g., 'the values of the stock'); use 'value' (singular) for price.
Fun facts
- The term 'core values' didn't become a common business buzzword until the 1980s and 90s.
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