Top Company Values: Inspiring Examples from Leading Organizations

Company values serve as a compass for organizations and their employees, guiding decision-making and shaping company culture. To help you establish your own set of values, it can be helpful to look at how other top organizations have approached this task.

Here are some examples of company values from well-known organizations:

1. Google: Focus on the user and all else will follow.

2. Amazon: Customer obsession, ownership, long-term thinking, innovation, and operational excellence.

3. Patagonia: Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.

4. Southwest Airlines: Warrior Spirit, Servant's Heart, Fun-LUVing Attitude.

5. Zappos: Deliver WOW through service, Embrace and drive change, Create fun and a little weirdness, Be adventurous, creative, and open-minded, Pursue growth and learning, Build open and honest relationships with communication, Build a positive team and family spirit, Do more with less, Be passionate and determined.

These values are more than just buzzwords—they influence the way each of these companies operates and are integrated into the day-to-day workings of the organization. For example, Zappos' value of "Do more with less" can be seen in their flat organizational structure and focus on empowering employees. Patagonia's commitment to environmental responsibility is reflected in their focus on sustainability in all aspects of the business.

When establishing your own company values, it's important to think about what matters most to your organization and how you want to be perceived by your employees, customers, and the larger community. Your values should be a true reflection of your organization and serve as a guiding principle for decision-making and action.

It's also essential to communicate your values effectively, both internally and externally. Share your values with employees, integrate them into onboarding and training processes, and find ways to recognize and reward employees who embody them. By doing so, you can help ensure that your values are more than just words on a page—they become a fundamental part of your company culture and the way you do business.

In conclusion, company values play a crucial role in shaping company culture and guiding decision-making. By taking inspiration from the examples of top organizations and making sure that your values are a true reflection of your organization, you can establish a strong foundation for your company's success.