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World Values Day: How to Define the Values That Really Matter

Your values will inform your decisions, helping you stay true to who you are and what you stand for.
Dr. Mandeep Rai

Dr. Mandeep Rai

4 Min Read

Throughout life, we make countless decisions—some small, others life-changing. But behind every choice we make, consciously or not, are our values. These guiding principles shape our motivations, behaviours, and relationships. Whether it’s navigating personal challenges or making professional decisions, our values serve as the compass that directs us through life’s twists and turns.

After traveling to over 185 countries in the last 25 years, I’ve witnessed first hand how values shape not just individuals but entire nations. They inform a country’s history, culture, and identity, and help drive societal change. In both personal and national contexts, values play a critical role in guiding us toward growth, resilience, and success.

But how do we define the values that truly matter to us? On World Values day (17 October) and beyond, here is how we can use them to lead more intentional, fulfilling lives.

Three Truths About Values

From my years of research, I’ve discovered three essential truths about values:

  1. Values Are Deeply Entrenched.  Whether in a country, company, or community, values are remarkably stable. Even as borders shift or political movements rise and fall, values remain the foundation of national culture and identity. They are what sustain societies through crises and change, providing a core sense of continuity.
  2. Our Values Shape Everything We Do. Values influence every aspect of our lives. They dictate how we relate to others, make decisions, and prioritise what matters. The better we understand our own values, the better equipped we are to navigate life’s challenges—both personally and professionally. Our values have been ingrained in us since childhood and continue to evolve as we grow. Recognizing and understanding them is key to becoming the best version of ourselves.
  3. Values Connect Us.  While beliefs and opinions can often divide, values have the power to unite us. Disagreements rooted in clashing values can be resolved through empathy and understanding. By recognizing the common values we share with others, we can bridge divides and foster more meaningful connections. As the Dalai Lama once said, values are the foundation of a happier, more successful, and fulfilling life.

How to Identify Your Core Values

Defining your values is a deeply personal journey. We make values-based decisions every day, often without realising it. The moment you start consciously acknowledging and embracing your values is the moment you can begin to use them as a tool to shape your life, pursue your dreams, and manage relationships more effectively.

In my book, The Values Compass, I discuss how once your values are clearly defined, they become a powerful guide. When you know what truly matters to you, making difficult decisions becomes easier. Your values serve as a compass, always pointing you in the right direction.

Here are some practical ways to start identifying your core values:

  • Think of Your Heroes. Who do you admire most in life? The qualities you respect in them are likely aligned with your own core values.
  • Reflect on Moments of Violation. Consider the last time you felt deeply wronged or upset. That emotional reaction likely pointed to a violation of one of your key values.
  • Imagine Your Legacy. If you were to hear your own eulogy, what would you want people to say about you? Does how you spend your time now reflect those values?

Once you start listing your values, aim to narrow them down to five core values. These should be the non-negotiables, the beliefs you simply can’t live without. If you find yourself with a longer list, separate the values that are important to you from those that are truly fundamental.

You can also seek input from trusted friends, colleagues, and family members. Ask them what they think your values are, and compare their observations with your own reflections.

How Values Shape Purpose

Once you’ve defined your values, they naturally begin to shape your purpose. Your values will inform your decisions, helping you stay true to who you are and what you stand for. They provide consistency in a world that’s constantly changing, giving you the confidence to stand by your choices.

Defined values not only guide your actions but also build your mission in life. They help you live with intention, ensuring that every decision, big or small, aligns with what truly matters to you.

So, take the time to explore and define your values. When you know your values, you hold the key to living a life of greater clarity, purpose, and fulfillment.

Author(s)

  • Dr. Mandeep Rai

    World Values Expert, Author, Speaker, Broadcast Journalist, Non Exec Director

    The Values Compass

    Dr. Mandeep Rai is a global authority on values, working with companies, institutions, and individuals around the world. She has traveled to more than 150 countries and reported as a broadcast journalist for the BBC World Service and Reuters, among others. She began her career in private banking at JPMorgan, and later worked for the United Nations, the European Commission, and grassroots NGOs before setting up the UAE’s first media venture capital fund. Mandeep studied philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE), has an MSc in development from the London School of Economics, and completed an MBA at London Business School, with a year at Harvard Business School and MIT. She also holds a PhD in global values.