Core values are the guiding principles of a business. Core values in EOS define how people in the company should act and work. They are not just words on a wall—they guide hiring, culture, and decisions. They are a cornerstone of your company as an entity.
Core values help leaders build a strong, aligned team. Everyone knows what’s expected and how to behave. This creates a company culture that supports long-term success.
Why Core Values Matter
Core values shape how the business operates by giving clearly defined behavioral guideposts. They influence how team members interact, solve problems, and work together.
In EOS, core values are used to keep the company focused and consistent. They help business owners hire the right people, manage performance, and build a positive work culture.
When core values are clear, teams work with more purpose. The company can grow without losing its identity.
How EOS Helps Define Core Values
The EOS process includes an exercise to discover a company’s true core values. These are usually not invented—they already exist within the best people in the organization.
Good leaders identify positive traits and patterns seen in their top performers. From those patterns, they develop a short list of 3 to 7 core values. These values should be simple, specific, and true to the company.
Examples of core values might include:
- Do the right thing
- Be a team player
- Take ownership
- Always improve
- Deliver quality work
These values may not necessarily be novel or profound, but they are integral to your organization’s identity and will give anybody who wishes to work with your organization an idea of what your team is all about.
Using Core Values in the Business
Once core values are set, they become part of daily operations. In EOS, leaders are expected to use them actively and consistently.
Here’s how EOS companies use core values:
| Area | How Core Values Are Applied |
|---|---|
| Hiring | Hire people who share the company’s values |
| Onboarding | Teach new employees the core values early |
| Reviews | Evaluate performance using the values |
| Recognition | Celebrate people who live out the values |
| Discipline | Address behavior that goes against core values |
Industry Examples of EOS Core Values
Tech Startups
A software company might use values like:
- Move fast and learn
- Think like the user
- Own your code
These values reinforce innovation, agility, and accountability in a fast-moving environment. Startups thrive when teams experiment, iterate quickly, and take full responsibility for the products they build. By encouraging ownership and user-centric thinking, these values help align developers, designers, and leadership around delivering constant improvement.
Healthcare Organizations
A medical practice might list:
- Put patients first
- Be detail-focused
- Communicate with care
In healthcare, precision and compassion are equally important. These values promote trust and reliability, ensuring that every decision supports patient well-being. When teams stay attentive to detail and communicate clearly, outcomes improve and the overall patient experience becomes more consistent and positive.
Manufacturing Companies
A production business may follow:
- Work safely
- Focus on quality
- Improve every day
These values drive operational excellence and accountability on the factory floor. Prioritizing safety protects both employees and productivity. Emphasizing quality ensures customer satisfaction, while continuous improvement fosters efficiency and long-term growth. Together, they create a culture where precision and pride in craftsmanship define success.
Marketing Agencies
A creative agency could choose:
- Lead with ideas
- Own the outcome
- Respect the client
In marketing, creativity must be backed by responsibility and partnership. These values encourage bold thinking, accountability for results, and genuine respect for client relationships. They help teams stay inspired while maintaining the professionalism needed to deliver measurable business outcomes.
Construction and Trade Services
A contracting firm might use:
- Do what you say
- Take pride in the work
- Be solution-minded
These values represent reliability and craftsmanship—essential traits in the trades. When teams honor commitments, take pride in the details, and focus on solving problems, they build trust as well as structures. This foundation of integrity and quality keeps projects on track and clients coming back.
The People Analyzer Tool
EOS includes a tool called the People Analyzer. This tool helps leaders evaluate team members based on core values to ensure that they are a good fit for the team.
Each person is rated on whether they:
- Always demonstrate the core value (+)
- Sometimes demonstrate it (+/-)
- Rarely or never demonstrate it (-)
This makes it easier to decide who fits the company. It also shows where someone may need support or coaching.
Core Values vs. Aspirations
Core values are who you are now—not who you want to become. Many businesses confuse values with goals or branding statements, which are intertwined but not the same.
EOS teaches that strong companies stick to their true values, even when it’s hard. Values are non-negotiable. They shouldn’t change with trends or pressure. This not only will send a positive message to anybody who wants to work with your organization in the future, it will ensure that your organization does not lose its way.
Aspirations are important too, but they belong in vision planning, not in the core value list. Sticking to your core values will determine the path that your organization takes to achieve its aspirations.
Downloadable Core Values Template
To help you define and apply core values in your business, use the EOS-inspired template below. It’s designed to work for any industry.
📄 Download the Core Values Worksheet (PDF)
Each worksheet includes:
- Core value brainstorming section
- People Analyzer scoring table
- Application checklist for hiring and review processes
Using this template helps you clarify, document, and apply your core values consistently across the company.
Final Thoughts
Core values are a key part of the EOS framework. They are not just a list of nice words—they guide real decisions and behavior.
By identifying and using their core values, businesses build stronger teams and better cultures. EOS provides a simple, practical way to make that happen across any industry. Reach out to ScaleUpExec today to learn more about how the EOS system can benefit your organization.
