All great businesses start with a great team. But it's no secret that finding and keeping brilliant people is more challenging than ever.
Salaries and perks play a part, of course. But the businesses that stand out and grow in the long run share something deeper: clear, authentic values.
Workplace values should be more than vague promises. When values are truly meaningful, they shape your culture, influence your strategy and become a powerful tool for improving team satisfaction, driving retention and growing with purpose.
In this blog, we’ll explain why they matter more than you think, and how to embed them in a way that genuinely makes a difference.
What do we mean by workplace values?
Put simply, workplace values are the core beliefs that guide how your business operates. They influence decisions, shape behaviour and set the tone for how your team communicates, collaborates and performs.
Values can look different in every organisation, but the key isn’t what you say, it’s how you live those values day to day.
Authentic values help your team understand what matters most, what’s expected and how to succeed. And when values are clear and consistent, everything from onboarding to decision-making becomes more aligned and connected to the big picture.
Why values are a growth tool
It’s easy to think of values as “fluff” for your website or buzzwords for HR. But in reality, they’re a strategic asset.
When your team shares the same values, decisions get made faster. There’s less second-guessing, fewer misunderstandings and a lot more trust. That alignment helps businesses stay agile, especially during periods of growth or change.
And beyond operational benefits, the commercial impact is real too. Companies with highly engaged employees see 21% higher profitability – and engagement comes from people feeling connected to their work and the values behind it.
Strong values also help you future-proof your business. They make it easier to spot (and attract!) the right hires, build long-lasting client relationships and create a consistent experience across every touchpoint. Simply put, they’re the glue that holds your long-term strategy together.
The link between values, retention and satisfaction
Team retention isn’t just about pay rises and flexible working. People want to feel proud of where they work, and like they’re contributing to something meaningful.
When workplace values are clear, employees feel more secure, motivated and connected. It gives their role context and a sense of purpose beyond the to-do list.
On the flip side, if your values are all talk and no action, it can seriously damage trust. When employees feel that values are performative or ignored, it’s often a key reason they look elsewhere.
A values-driven culture also plays a big role in wellbeing. In 2023 alone, poor mental health cost UK employers an estimated £56 billion. The way your business supports people through inclusion, empathy and meaningful work can be the difference between a thriving team and a burnt-out one.
Signs your values aren’t working
Not sure if your values are hitting the mark? Here are a few things to watch out for.
- High staff turnover or low morale
- Conflicting behaviours across teams and departments
- A culture that relies on perks but lacks purpose
- Leaders saying one thing but doing another
- Goals and strategies that feel disconnected from your day-to-day reality
If any of that sounds familiar, it might be time to take a step back and reassess how well your values are embedded.
How to make your workplace values make an impact
It’s easy to stick a list of values on a poster or website. The real challenge is making them part of how your business actually operates.
Embedding values properly takes time, consistency and buy-in from the top down. But it’s also one of the most powerful things you can do to strengthen your culture, retain great people and build a business that grows with purpose.
Here’s how to get started.
Get clear on your purpose
Your workplace values should all link back to your why. Why does your business exist beyond making a profit? What kind of change are you trying to make for your customers, team or industry? Without this, your values risk feeling generic.
Take time to revisit your mission and vision. Are they still relevant? Do they reflect the business as it is today? Chat with your team and see if their day-to-day experience lines up with the company’s vision. Most importantly, make sure every value you define is connected to a specific behaviour or outcome that your team can recognise and relate to.
Involve your team
If you want your values to mean something, they need to be built with the people who live them every day. The strongest values tend to emerge from what already exists within your culture, rather than being written in isolation.
Start by holding a workshop or feedback session. Ask your team to share moments where they’ve seen the business at its best, and use those examples to shape your values. You can also run surveys or small group sessions to test whether your current values still resonate, or if it’s time to evolve them.
Build them into hiring and onboarding
Your values shouldn’t be a surprise to new hires. They should be visible from the moment someone discovers your business. That means weaving them into how you write job descriptions, run interviews and welcome new people on board.
In interviews, ask questions that explore a candidate’s alignment with your values, not just their skills. When onboarding, introduce your values through real examples or team stories so new joiners can see what they look like in practice from day one.
Lead by example
People don’t just listen to what leaders say. They watch what they do. If leaders act in a way that contradicts your business’ values, trust erodes fast.
Show your team how values guide your decisions and invite honest conversations about how well leadership is living up to them. Make space for feedback and build in accountability at every level, including the top.
How Blu Sky keep our values alive
At Blu Sky, we’ve always believed values are more than branding, they’re our foundation.
Our values shape every conversation, decision and relationship. From our B Corp certification to the clients we work with and the culture we build internally, our values guide how we show up.
Do Great Things: We don’t do average. We’re here to make a positive impact for our clients, our team and the world around us.
Be a Pro: We bring our best, stay curious and always strive for better.
Have Fun: Culture matters. We believe work should be enjoyable, meaningful and human.
Looking for a partner who shares your values?
At Blu Sky, we help purpose-led businesses grow with clarity, confidence and heart. Whether you need help setting goals, aligning your team, or planning for the next stage of your growth, we’ll meet you with values-first advice that actually makes a difference.
