Why are some companies consistently appearing on "Best Companies To Work In” lists? We’re pretty sure it has to do with well-crafted, communicated, and implemented core values.

To help you out, we've put together a list of 15 core value examples from inspiring companies. From Airbnb's focus on community to Zappos' commitment to customer service, these values will help you create a workplace culture that employees will love being a part of.

What are company core values?

Core values are the fundamental beliefs that govern a company's culture, helping it make decisions and guide its actions. They represent what matters most to a company and are the principles that shape company behavior day in and day out.

Core values act like a moral compass - they help shape how team members interact with each other, their customers, and other business partners. With strong core values, companies can create a unified vision that everyone can feel proud of, build positive relationships with all stakeholders, and cultivate an environment of excellence.

Why core values are important

Ultimately, core values are essential elements of success for any company; they define who you are as an organization and why you exist, making them invaluable for driving company growth.

Additionally, in an evolving, distributed workplace, well-defined company values serve as an adhesive that connects and unites your employees, no matter where they are. On top of all that, studies show that employees (especially Millennials and Gen-Z) want to work for companies whose values align with their own.

So if you want to improve employee experience, enhance your retention strategy, and boost employee engagement, communicate your values openly and ensure the daily work environment reflects them.

15 real-life examples of company core values

In today’s competitive business landscape, having strong core values is essential for a company’s success. They can help set a company apart from its competitors by giving employees a sense of purpose, direction, and passion.

Some companies value teamwork and integrity as cornerstones of their organizational culture, while others value hard work, humbleness, and the highest standards of customer service.

But what do company core values look like in real life? To get some inspiration on how successful companies define their core values, let’s take a look at this list of core values from 15 inspiring companies:

Hubspot

Hubspot’s core value is “Growth through Learning & Giving Back.” This philosophy encourages employees to continuously learn and develop their skills while striving to give back to the community. It also emphasizes a commitment to helping others, both inside and outside of the company.

Patagonia

Patagonia values “Simplicity & Sustainability.” This core value reflects their commitment to using sustainable materials and practices whenever possible. They strive to reduce waste, conserve resources, and limit their environmental impact.

Nike

Nike’s core value is “Bring Inspiration and Innovation to Every Athlete.” This principle guides them in everything they do, from product design and development to customer service and marketing.

Gable

Our company values at Gable are customer obsession, proactivity, a results-driven mindset, agility, and diversity. These values shape how we approach teamwork, product design, and our everyday work to make the distributed workplace more connected.

Want to see our values in action? Try Gable today >>>

Apple

Apple values “Innovation & Design-Thinking.” This philosophy has been at the core of their product development since the very beginning. They strive to never settle and push the envelope with their products and services.

Zappos

Zappos’ core value is “Deliver Wow Through Service.” This principle has been at the heart of the company from day one, and it drives them to provide customers with fantastic service experiences every time they interact with them.

Google

Google values “Do The Right Thing.” Their philosophy reflects their commitment to doing what’s right for employees, customers, partners, and shareholders alike.

Microsoft

Microsoft’s core value is “Empower Every Person & Organization on the Planet to Achieve More.” This core value reflects their commitment to helping people and organizations reach their full potential with their products and services.

Twilio

Twilio’s core value is “Do the Right Thing, Always.” They believe it is important to make decisions based on doing the right thing for their stakeholders while also taking into account the long-term impact of those decisions.

Salesforce

Salesforce values “Trust & Transparency.” They strive to be open and honest in all that they do, both internally and externally, building trust throughout the organization.

Lattice

Lattice values “Be Bold & Build for Everyone.” This principle encourages employees to take risks and to create an inclusive culture that welcomes all perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.

Airbnb

Airbnb’s core value is “Belong Anywhere.” This principle reflects their belief that everyone should have the opportunity to experience different places and cultures in a safe environment.

Amazon

Amazon values “Customer Obsession.” This core value drives them to put customers first in everything they do, from product design and development to customer service.

Costco

Costco’s core value is “Do the Right Thing.” They believe it is important to take into consideration not only what is best for their company but also what is best for their members and employees.

Dropbox

Dropbox values “Empowering People & Teams.” This core value drives them to create tools and resources that empower people and teams worldwide to collaborate more efficiently and effectively.

These 15 company core values from inspiring companies show us how powerful they can be in setting a company apart from its competitors. They are also an important reflection of a company’s culture, mission, and business decision-making process.

Conclusion: Core values bring teams together

In conclusion, core values are an essential component of any business. They help guide decision-making, promote consistency, and create a shared sense of purpose among employees.

The 15 companies featured here have made their core values easily accessible to the public, showcasing just how important a strong set of values is to their respective cultures. Smaller businesses can take cues from these examples and use them as a starting point in establishing their own core values.

Identifying who you really are as a business is key to developing successful company policies and retaining loyal customers, so don't be afraid to dig deep when it comes to defining your core values!

Ultimately, creating and maintaining a healthy atmosphere within your business grounded in honesty and trustworthiness will only benefit everyone involved — including those outside of your organization. With the right set of values in place, there's no limit to what you and your team can accomplish together!

FAQ: Company core values

What is a mission statement?

A company’s mission statement is a concise representation of an organization’s purpose, philosophy, and core principles. It typically outlines the organization's goals, values, and core competencies in an effort to motivate employees and other stakeholders.

A mission statement ensures everyone in the organization works together towards shared objectives. Additionally, it can shape decisions by providing guidance on priorities and direction.

Crafting a mission statement involves introspection and research into what makes the company stand out and how it plans to make the world a better place. The best mission statements are clear and memorable, inspiring employees and others to follow along with them toward success.

What is a value statement?

A value statement is a brief explanation of the core values and guiding principles held by an individual or business. It describes the philosophy, work ethic, and standards upheld by a person or organization. For example, a corporate value statement might include phrases like "customer first" or "integrity in everything we do."

How do core values help shape the company culture?

Every company has its own core values that are designed to serve as guiding principles for decision-making and ways to foster an efficient working environment. These values define expectations within the company, create common goals amongst coworkers, and allow employees to measure success.

There's a sense of excitement within teams when their efforts culminate in fulfilling a value they work so hard to uphold; it creates connection and allows them to find satisfaction in their day-to-day roles. Values create communities where everyone works together and has similar ideas on how the company should operate.

Ultimately, strong values bring about belonging, which is essential for forming meaningful connections with customers. That’s why understanding company values can make all the difference when developing a unified corporate culture.

How can businesses develop their own set of core values?

Core values are at the heart of any business, allowing managers to create a culture emphasizing integrity and mutual respect. Knowing what your company stands for can also help attract customers and potential employees alike.

To ensure your core values are meaningful and purposeful, focus on identifying areas of improvement for your organization and start by deciding what you want your company to represent.

This will help you formulate values that work well together, such as innovation or customer experience, making sure they align with the overall mission of the organization. In addition, conduct market research to understand how different customer demographics view certain values and discuss ideas openly with employees to get input from all parts of the business.

Lastly, communicate regularly about the values – hold regular meetings explaining how these core beliefs should inform decisions both large and small for an even greater impact!

What are some more examples of positive company values?

As times change, new values appear and start becoming more important for both employees and companies worldwide. In recent years, we’ve seen employees talking about values they appreciate within their companies:

• Working to drive change
• Social responsibility
• Diversity and equal opportunities
• Continuous learning
• Promoting work-life balance

Human resources experts can help companies adapt their business practices and align with what employees and customers want to see from organizations today. In recent years, we’re seeing an emphasis on company-wide learning, an open-minded approach to remote work, and a focus on employee satisfaction and wellbeing.