Creating a positive work environment is essential for any thriving organization. This article delves into essential company values, guided by insights from industry experts, to foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and growth. Discover how embracing these principles can transform your workplace into a hub of collaboration and respect.
- Embrace Truth And Light
- Prioritize Mental Wellness
- Promote Ownership And Accountability
- Value Collaboration And Openness
- Embrace Extreme Ownership
- Embrace Transparency And Openness
- Work With Intention
- Empower Ownership And Autonomy
- Value Purpose-Driven Work
- Encourage Ownership And Initiative
- Prioritize Respect In The Workplace
- Maintain Transparency At All Levels
- Cultivate A Growth Mindset
Embrace Truth And Light
My firm’s values are 1. Salt – Offer truth, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and truth, no matter where we find a business/client/colleagues and do it graciously, and 2. Light – Give hope, encouragement, come alongside, partner, and help cast a vision that can be implemented toward a path forward.
As a consulting firm, I feel strongly we are paid to tell the truth. Many times, when we work internally at an organization, there are things like politics, fear, and hierarchies that may prohibit us from truly giving our honest feedback. With our team being fractional and as contractors, we are in a unique space to truly bring that “final 10%” of feedback that business owners and leaders so desperately need but typically don’t receive from colleagues or peers. And the beautiful part is, we also get to share how a leader can work with that feedback and walk forward into a new plan or strategy.
We have found our values guide us in the hiring process (can a candidate live by these values?), while we are meeting with potential clients (will this client allow us to truly advance their business?), and with our current clients (as a reminder to say the hard thing, and then walk the path with the client to get them to the next level).
Kerri Roberts
Founder & CEO, Salt & Light Advisors
Prioritize Mental Wellness
At our Corporate Wellness Firm, we teach our clients about positive mental health strategies. We “practice what we preach” and also teach our employees about positive mental health strategies. This includes a flexible work arrangement (virtual and hybrid options), flexible work hours, and PTO to promote a healthy work-life balance. We promote healthy breaks during the workday (time for walks, screen-free breaks, stretch breaks, and mini-meditations).
We promote healthy foods that promote a positive mood, and healthy blood sugar levels. And we celebrate and encourage open communication on mental health, and ask our employees to take the time they need if they are struggling. Our employees have shared that this culture promotes a really positive work experience, and they are very happy that we embody this value.
Beryl Krinsky
Founder & CEO, B.Komplete
Promote Ownership And Accountability
I really think ownership and accountability is one of the most impactful company values that resonates with our employees and contributes to a positive work environment. When team members feel a sense of ownership over their work, they are more engaged, motivated, and committed to delivering results.
To bring this value to life, we empower employees to take full responsibility for their projects, make key decisions, and learn from both successes and setbacks. For example, instead of micromanaging, we encourage a results-driven approach where individuals set their own milestones and define how they’ll achieve their goals. One instance of this was when a junior marketing associate pitched a content strategy idea—we gave them the freedom to execute it with minimal oversight, and it led to a 30% boost in engagement.
By fostering a culture where accountability is encouraged and mistakes are seen as learning opportunities, employees feel trusted and valued, ultimately driving both personal and company growth.
Pallavi Pareek
Founder & CEO, Ungender
Value Collaboration And Openness
One company value that strongly resonates with my employees is collaboration. We believe that the best results come when we work together, combining our diverse strengths and expertise to elevate our clients’ personal brands.
To bring this value to life, I foster an environment where open communication is encouraged, and every team member’s input is valued. We hold regular brainstorming sessions, create cross-functional teams, and celebrate team successes, ensuring everyone feels part of the agency’s growth. This approach allows us to consistently deliver innovative solutions and standout PR campaigns for our clients, including well-known entrepreneurs like Mario Nawfal and Samuel Leeds.
Moreover, I lead by example, always being accessible and transparent with my team. I show up ready to listen, offer guidance, and share insights, which helps create a culture of mutual respect and trust. The result is a workplace where collaboration thrives, and the team feels empowered, making it easier to meet the high standards our clients expect and continue to push the boundaries of success.
Sahil Sachdeva
CEO & Founder, Level Up PR
Embrace Extreme Ownership
One company value that has had a profound impact on our work environment is Extreme Ownership—the idea that every individual takes full responsibility for their work, decisions, and impact on the team. This mindset has transformed how we solve problems, collaborate, and build trust across departments.
I saw the power of Extreme Ownership firsthand during a major project deadline. A critical component had been overlooked, and instead of finger-pointing or waiting for leadership to step in, a team member took full responsibility, outlined a solution, and rallied the necessary resources to fix the issue before it escalated. That moment reinforced why ownership matters—it keeps teams proactive, solutions-focused, and able to operate without constant oversight.
We bring this value to life by empowering employees to make decisions and own their results. Instead of requiring layers of approval, employees are trusted to solve challenges as they arise. This shift from a permission-seeking culture to a high-trust, solution-driven environment has led to:
- Faster decision-making without bottlenecks.
- Increased innovation as employees take initiative.
- Stronger accountability, where people own outcomes rather than waiting for direction.
The biggest lesson? When people take ownership, they invest in success rather than just completing tasks. It creates a culture where everyone is accountable, engaged, and empowered to drive results—and that’s how great teams thrive.
Murray Seaton
Founder and CEO of Hypervibe / Health & Fitness Entrepreneur, Hypervibe (Vibration Plates)
Embrace Transparency And Openness
One company value that really resonates with our employees is transparency. When people know what’s going on whether it’s successes or challenges they feel trusted and more connected to the bigger picture. To bring transparency to life, we focus on regular communication and encourage an open-door policy. For instance, we hold monthly meetings where leadership talks openly about where we are as a company, what’s working, and what needs attention. If a project is falling behind, we don’t shy away from it.
Instead, we invite feedback from employees, so everyone feels like they’re part of the solution, not just the problem. This doesn’t just build trust, it also makes problem-solving a team effort. When transparency is a core value, it leads to stronger relationships at work. People feel respected because they’re kept in the loop, and that respect fosters a healthier, more positive workplace. When everyone’s on the same page, you can move forward more effectively, solving problems together rather than separately. The outcome is a workplace where people are engaged, motivated, and confident in their role.
Justin Abrams
Founder & CEO, Aryo Consulting Group
Work With Intention
The thing that keeps our staff enthusiastic, involved, and not surreptitiously planning their getaway is intentionality. From crafting the ideal cup of tea to establishing a respectful workplace, everything we do has thought behind it and purpose. Staff enjoy working in an environment where choices are arrived at with consideration rather than being tossed together like a subpar cup of instant coffee.
The everyday brings this to life. Although teamwork is encouraged, no one is compelled to spend hours in boring brainstorming sessions waiting for nothing to happen. Sessions are scheduled because they must, not because someone enjoys calendar requests. Everyone feels their voice counts because their contributions and actions directly impact the brand’s future.
Intentionality also affects how we work together as a team. We invite employees to take breaks, relax with the products, and even practice the mindfulness that we share with customers. No one needs to operate on caffeine and disarray alone. A supported team makes for greater customer experiences, creating a workplace that is like a perfectly steeped cup of tea—smooth, balanced, and just the right amount of bold.
Andy Hayes
Founder and Creator, Plum Deluxe & Plum Deluxe Teas
Empower Ownership And Autonomy
Taking ownership is a core value that genuinely resonates with our team because it encourages everyone to fulfill their commitments and trust their instincts. Instead of micromanaging people or creating rigid structures, we empower employees to oversee projects from start to finish.
For instance, when someone on a team offers to lead a product demo for a customer, we encourage them to take full ownership—conducting research, coordinating with colleagues, and communicating updates accordingly. This doesn’t mean passing the task to others and wishing for the best; it’s about giving people the AUTONOMY to achieve results while still providing help and guidance. Employees are motivated to do their best because they know their work makes a difference and requires their expertise.
We live this value by practicing accountability every day. We have weekly check-ins where our teams have complete visibility on the updates for our projects, and departments collaborate to make sure no task goes unnoticed. If someone encounters a problem, they go ahead and contact someone instead of waiting for a manager to step in.
We have found that this transparency increases trust and camaraderie. It’s a space where all have a voice and people won’t hesitate to speak up or try something new. We’ve experienced the benefits firsthand: better-quality output, a more meaningful team spirit, and an environment in which people actually care about one another’s success.
Matt Bowman
Founder, Thrive Local
Value Purpose-Driven Work
The value that resonates most strongly with our team is purpose-driven work. It’s the foundation of everything we do, reminding us that our efforts directly improve the lives of healthcare providers and their patients. This value is deeply woven into our operations, giving employees a clear sense of meaning, autonomy, and connection to a greater mission.
Through constant feedback loops with healthcare providers, our team sees exactly how the features they create are helping foster a more significant change. Employees are given the autonomy to take ownership of their work and are trusted to lead projects in ways that inspire them. Combined with flexibility in how and when they work, this creates an environment where they can perform at their best while staying energized and engaged.
Jamie Frew
CEO, Carepatron
Encourage Ownership And Initiative
One of the values that strongly resonates with my team is ownership—the idea that everyone has a stake in the success of the business and the freedom to take initiative. Ownership helps everyone in my team think critically, make decisions, and feel empowered to solve problems without waiting for permission.
We bring this to life by creating a culture of trust and open communication. Instead of micromanaging, we focus on clear expectations and giving team members the autonomy to execute in their own way. Wins are celebrated, mistakes are learning opportunities, and feedback is always a two-way street. When people feel truly invested in their work, they own their results, and that’s what makes the difference in a positive, high-performing work environment.
Inbar Madar
Founder and Principal Consultant, M.I. Business Consulting
Prioritize Respect In The Workplace
After years of running two companies alongside two business partners, I can confidently say that the single most important value in company culture is respect.
Respect influences almost everything. It determines how committed we are to our work, how loyal we remain to the company, and how effectively we communicate. When respect is present, our conversations are clear, rational, and focused on solutions—not emotions or personal judgments.
A culture of respect ensures that discussions stay constructive, that feedback is given and received maturely, and that decisions are made based on logic rather than ego. It keeps the team grounded, fosters trust, and ultimately reflects the maturity of the organization.
Without respect, even the best strategies and business models can crumble under poor collaboration and misalignment. But with respect, a company thrives—because its people work together with integrity, professionalism, and shared purpose.
Marcin Swider
CEO, CITY LION
Maintain Transparency At All Levels
One company value that strongly resonates with our employees is transparency. A culture of openness builds trust, fosters collaboration, and ensures that everyone feels heard and valued.
We bring this value to life by maintaining clear communication at all levels. Regular team meetings, open-door policies, and sharing company goals, challenges, and progress help employees stay aligned and engaged. Leaders encourage honest feedback and act on it, showing that every voice matters. Transparency also extends to career growth, performance expectations, and decision-making processes, ensuring employees feel secure and empowered. When people understand where the company is headed and how they contribute, it creates a positive and motivated work environment.
Abhishek Shah
Founder, Testlify
Cultivate A Growth Mindset
The real competitive edge in today’s fast-evolving business landscape isn’t just strategy or technology—it’s mindset. A growth mindset is the cornerstone of progress. When people believe that skills, intelligence, and potential can be developed, they don’t just adapt to change—they drive it.
Bringing this to life means embedding continuous learning into daily workflows. It’s not just about formal upskilling programs; it’s about fostering an environment where asking bold questions, challenging assumptions, and embracing calculated risks are second nature. Failure isn’t a setback—it’s a data point. Teams that feel psychologically safe to test new ideas without fear of repercussions become innovation engines.
Some of the best breakthroughs have come from individuals who felt empowered to think beyond the obvious. When curiosity is rewarded and problem-solving is ingrained into the culture, a workplace transforms from a job to a mission. That’s when real impact happens.
Anupa Rongala
CEO, Invensis Technologies