How To Write a Value Statement (With Template and Example)

Company values can be important to both employees of the company and consumers who sometimes make purchases or decide on services according to these guiding principles. A company value statement can inform customers and employees what beliefs and basic values to expect from the business. Evaluating the different parts of a value statement can help you write one that's clear and direct. In this article, we discuss what a value statement is, what to include in one and provide a template and sample you can use as you create your own.

What is a value statement?

A value statement is a brief declaration that describes a company's priorities and values. It informs others, including customers and employees, of what principles are most important to the business. It can also serve as a guide when making important internal decisions.

What are the benefits of writing a value statement?

A value statement offers the following benefits:

• Creates unity among team members**:** A value statement can create unity among team members, as it encourages them to work together with the same priorities.

• Encourages transparency: These statements can encourage communication and transparency among employees of all levels. A company that shares what it believes in encourages all team members to do the same.

• Connects with customers: A value statement can help larger brands connect with their customers on a more intimate level.

• Sets a guide for how employees should respond: A simple statement of values can provide employees with a guide on how to respond to different situations.

What to include in a value statement

A value statement usually includes:

What's important to the company

A value statement defines what's important to the company and its employees. It specifically discusses one or two of the company's most essential values. These may be concepts the company believes in, prioritized values or guiding principles that help team members decide what to do and how.

How the company conducts itself

A value statement also informs customers of how the business conducts itself. This may include a specific action, like focusing on sustainability or a mission to achieve inclusiveness. A value statement may discuss the company's mission, but it's not the same thing as a mission statement. Instead, it focuses on the values rather than the mission.

Related: Why Is a Company Mission Statement Important?

How the value relates to the customer

A value statement not only highlights the company's values but also how they relate to the customer. It connects the company's important value with a purpose. A value statement informs customers why they should care, or how the company values may benefit them.

Related: 210 Examples of Core Company Values From Top Employers

Types of values

There are also different types of values that you may include in your statement. Here are a few to consider:

• Core: Core values are the fundamental values of a company and its team members. This includes things like creativity, empathy or responsibility.

• Aspirational: Aspirational values are values that a company aims to improve but doesn't necessarily meet yet. This might include things like diligence, sustainability or eco-friendliness.

• Accidental: Accidental values are those you didn't plan for but that have become a part of your organization. This might include a customer-first mentality or diversity.

Related: Core Values of a Great Leader

How to write a value statement

You can write a value statement with the following steps:

1. List values important to the business

Start a list of values that are important to the business. Brainstorm these values without consideration to how they specifically relate to the business or its priorities. You might encourage this process with the following methods:

• Ask customers to contribute**:** Ask customers to describe the business in a few words or less. This can give you an idea of your current reputation, which may help you when writing a value statement.

• Ask employees for ideas: You can also gather values from employees. Ask employees of all levels to consider the priorities, or most important values, of the business.

• Consider what's most important to you: Think about your key priorities in the business. This might include things like customer satisfaction or sustainable manufacturing.

• Consider the types of behaviors you value: You can also learn more about what values are important to you by considering what behaviors you value most in teammates.

• Think about the goal or purpose of the business: Consider the function of your products or services. Think about why you started the business or started working for the business in the first place, as this may help you identify values.

• Determine the admirable qualities of team members: Consider what qualities you look for when hiring new team members. This can help you identify commonalities in your team.

2. Narrow down your list of values

Once you finish compiling your list, evaluate your ideas and choose the top five. These five should be the values that are most important to you, your employees and your customers. They should embody the values that you strive to demonstrate each day at work. You might also find some commonalities, or themes, among the values you list. This can make it even easier to narrow down your options.

Related: 12 Important Leader Values and Beliefs

3. Consider actions that demonstrate values

A value statement is actionable. This means that it informs team members how to behave or where their focus should be. Consider a few actionable ways to demonstrate each of your top five values. Consider how you and your team members can apply the values in the workplace. This might include things like demonstrating empathy when working with customers or encouraging all employees to take part in creating company goals.

4. Write your value statement

Choose one or two of the top values from your list and actionable steps to write your value statement. Keep your statement brief, typically only a sentence or two. Value statements are also specific and tell the team and customers exactly what you plan to do. Once you finish writing your value statement, it's beneficial to share it with others. Consider sharing your statement with employees of all levels to get feedback.

Value statement template

You can use the following templates to create your own value statement:

Encourage [value] in [workplace example].

Put [value] above all else.

[Company name] helps [person] by focusing on [value].

[Company title] works hard to demonstrate [value] in all aspects.

[Value] is the foundation of our purpose.

Value statement example

Here are a few examples of value statements using the previous templates:

Encourage inclusiveness in every step.

Put honesty above all else.

Anderson Title helps buyers by focusing on transparency.

Better Technologies works hard to demonstrate commitment in all aspects.

Communication is the foundation of our purpose.