Core values are your company’s DNA. They shape everything from your culture to decision-making. However, let’s be honest—having that stuff is excellent, but helpful only when everyone knows what it is, right? Moreover, alongside ensuring awareness, getting everyone, from your in-office crew to frontline teams, to live by them is also tricky business.
The truth remains: You’ve got to work on clear communication to get these core values known, understood, and lived daily by everyone.
In this blog, we share essential tips (or shall we call them secrets) to help you effectively communicate your company’s values and make them stick. But before that, let’s quickly understand why core values matter in the first place.
Why company core values matter?
Core values matter as they lay the tone for how your organization runs and, more importantly, how your people show up daily. The easiest way to understand this is to think of them as the secret handshake🤝 that keeps everyone in the loop. When core values are unclear, ambiguous, or unmentioned, you’ll likely end up with employees who feel lost or disconnected.
And this is totally research-backed by the way: So, a study from Deloitte confirms that companies with solid cultures and clear values that are embraced across are 1.5 times more likely to see revenue growth of over 15% in three years. You want to be one of them, right? So, how do you avoid any disconnect here?
It all starts with communicating clearly and consistently. The most efficient way is using a trustworthy employee communications app. Whether it’s a company-wide update or a quick frontline check-in, having a unified, secure tool helps keep the conversation going quickly and ensures no one misses a beat. Now, let’s review some handy tips for communicating your core values to perfection.
Follow these tips to communicate company core values
Tip 1: Define what you stand for
Nailing your company’s core values is a big deal - they’re the foundation of what you stand for. But here’s the thing: it’s not enough to slap fancy words on a PPT and imagine you’re through. Your people need to feel those values, not just see them, right? This will never happen without going the extra mile. So what do you do, and how do you make the good stuff happen?
Well, it starts by getting everyone involved. Yep, we literally mean everyone, from the leadership to your frontline employees. You need to get everyone together to define real and relevant values. When your team has a hand in shaping them, the values will feel more authentic. And they’ll stop being just words (or another brick) on the wall 🎸
Instead, they’ll be the foundation of how your team works, makes decisions, and treats each other daily. Take our word, this approach sets the best companies apart - these companies don’t just talk about their values; they live them.
Tip 2: Make values a part of your daily convos
Okay, so now you’ve nailed your values. Excellent start! The next step? You need to keep them alive in the day-to-day grind. How? We recommend that you try to weave company values everywhere you can - conversations during meetings, performance reviews, casually, or just about anywhere and everywhere possible.
The more they hear about your values, the stickier it will be, and the better they will remember what truly matters. Oh, and don’t forget your frontline workers when you do this. These guys also need to feel your values like your office crew.
This is where an internal communications tool can be a secret weapon. Whether it’s a quick sync or an update on the go, having the right tools will make it easy to keep everyone in the loop and ensure values are loud and clear.
Tip 3: Live your values
Here’s the deal: Words are amazing, but actions always speak louder than words. What we mean is, we may talk about values all day long, but if we, as leaders, don’t walk the talk, no one else will, right?
So, employees who see leaders living the company’s values are way more likely to follow suit. And this, by the way, is not just our view.
According to Harvard Business Review research, companies with leaders who live their values are far more likely to build a purpose-driven culture that people want to be a part of.
So, how do you lead by example? Start with the basics. Let’s assume one of your values is transparency. You can own it by explaining big decisions openly. If collaboration is your core value, roll up your sleeves and show up for team projects. Simply put: Lead by example. Always show, don’t just tell.
Tip 4: Celebrate and re-enforce values with recognition
Let’s get real—everyone wants to feel important, appreciated, and recognized for their hard work. If you want your values to resonate, you’ve got to spotlight the folks crushing it by living and breathing your core values. That’s because recognition isn’t just about a feel-good moment—it’s also a reminder of what matters most and a great way to keep values front and center.
And hey, implementing this doesn’t have to be complicated. You can call out great examples of your values in team meetings, share shout-outs on your employee app, or set up awards for employees who consistently walk the talk. Even better? You can encourage peer-to-peer recognition. When your teammates see values in action and give props, it will create a ripple effect that strengthens your culture(and that’s everything, right?).
Tip 5: Align recruitment and onboarding with core values
Bringing in new hires? Awesome! This is another golden moment to plant your core values early on. According to research from Forbes, companies that align their recruitment and onboarding with core values see a 20-25% increase in retention rates. So don’t skip this step, as it’s worth the effort.
To make this work, weave your values into job descriptions, interviews, and onboarding. We’d recommend going beyond the surface—talk about how the values show up in daily work and offer training to help employees live them. Bonus points if you assign mentors to guide new hires. Always remember, when people understand and connect with your values from day one, they’ll stick around and thrive.
Tip 6: Use an internal comms tool to spread the word
Last but not least, remember that your core values won’t spread by themselves. If you want them to reach every corner of your company (we mean from HQs to your frontline workers), you’ll need to put in the work to keep communication flowing. The good stuff will only happen when your whole team can engage with your values, irrespective of where they are.
Using an employee communication app like Speakap can make the magic happen. It is the perfect way to share updates, stories, and examples of your values—whether your team is desk-bound or on the go. You can also use it to conduct training, share tips, and let people interact easily.
Case in point: Wurst Steel Construction saw a 30% boost in communication efficiency and a 20% increase in employee engagement using a mobile-first app like Speakap. The takeaway? Better communication equals better alignment—it’s a game changer for living your values daily.
Next steps: Take charge and make core values work for you
Core values aren’t just excellent to have—they’re the heartbeat of any successful organization. But here’s the kicker: communicating them with your team cannot be a “set it and forget it” deal. It requires ongoing effort with regular reinforcement.
Whether through recognition programs, daily meetings, or internal communication platforms like Speakap for aspects like comms, training, and more, you’ve got to do your part. The more consistently you’ll work on communicating your values, the more likely they’ll stick.
If you’re excited to ensure everyone’s on the same page about core values all day, every day, Speakap’s employee communications app can double as your co-pilot. And hey - you know where to find us 😉