Key Findings
- Company values improve employee retention, engagement, and alignment with business goals.
- Top-performing companies use values to drive culture, communication, and performance.
- Common values include innovation, transparency, sustainability, and diversity.
- Strong values are clear, actionable, and reinforced throughout daily operations.
- Values should evolve with company growth and employee feedback.
Company values are the foundation of a strong workplace culture. They shape how teams communicate, make decisions, and stay aligned with your business goals.
To help you define or refine your own, here are 15 of the best company values from leading brands — each offering real-world inspiration on how values drive engagement, collaboration, and long-term success.
15 Best Company Values Examples
All of the companies below utilize various company values to inspire organization and create a positive, motivating environment that drives performance.
1. Amazon
Known for its commitment to customer satisfaction and innovation, Amazon motivates employees to contribute and excel. Its values include:
- Customer obsession: Every decision prioritizes the customer’s needs.
- Invent and simplify: Employees are encouraged to innovate and simplify processes, fostering a culture of creativity.
- Delivering results: Leadership focuses on achieving goals and driving performance.
- Bias for action: Leadership encouraging quick decision-making and risk-taking.
2. Google
Google is synonymous with innovation and transparency. The company’s values encourage employees to think outside the box and share their ideas freely, supporting creativity and open communication.
- Focus on the user: Ensuring that all products and services are focused on user experience.
- Embracing diversity: Respecting different viewpoints to promote creativity and collaboration.
3. Netflix
Netflix’s company culture is characterized by its freedom and responsibility, allowing employees to develop in a high-performance environment, take ownership of their work and drive the company forward.
- High performance: Employees are encouraged to deliver exceptional results.
- Candid communication: Employees are encouraged to engage in open dialogue, sharing constructive feedback.
4. Patagonia
Patagonia is known for its commitment to environmental care. The company’s values reflect a deep respect for nature and a desire to make a positive impact, creating a loyal community dedicated to sustainability.
- Build the best product: Focusing on quality and durability in all products.
- Cause no unnecessary harm: Using environmentally friendly practices.
5. Zappos
Zappos is famous for its customer-centric culture and commitment to making work enjoyable. The company’s values create a sense of belonging and camaraderie among employees, which translates into outstanding customer service.
- Deliver WOW through service: Going above and beyond to exceed customer expectations.
- Create fun and a little weirdness: Encouraging a playful atmosphere in the workplace.
6. HubSpot
HubSpot’s culture is built around the acronym HEART, which stands for Humble, Empathetic, Adaptable, Remarkable and Transparent. These values guide employee interactions and decision-making, creating a culture that boosts collaboration and innovation.
- Transparent communication: Facilitating the free flow of information throughout the organization.
- Continuous learning: Encouraging employees to pursue personal and professional development.
7. Starbucks
With a focus on customers and employe, Starbucks’s values reflect its commitment to creating a welcoming environment. The emphasis on connection enhances employee morale and creates a sense of community within the workplace.
- Acting with courage: Challenging the status quo to drive growth.
- Creating a culture of warmth: Ensuring that every employee feels valued and included.
8. Salesforce
Salesforce’s Ohana culture — meaning family in Hawaiian — emphasizes inclusivity, trust and mutual support. The company treats employees as part of a larger community, building a supportive environment that empowers employees to succeed.
- Trust and transparency: Building strong relationships through open communication.
- Community engagement: Encouraging employees to give back through volunteer opportunities.
9. IKEA
IKEA’s values are rooted in humility, equality and simplicity. The company promotes a culture where every employee is valued and encouraged to collaborate, creating a positive work environment that drives innovation.
- Teamwork: Emphasizing team efforts to achieve common goals.
- Inclusivity: Creating a diverse workplace where everyone feels welcome.
10. Microsoft
Microsoft promotes a growth mindset within its corporate culture, encouraging employees to embrace challenges, pursue new ideas and learn from failures.
- Innovate and simplify: Striving for continuous improvement in products and processes.
- Diversity and inclusion: Valuing diverse perspectives to drive innovation.
11. Adobe
Adobe’s culture is centered around creativity and innovation, encouraging employees to think outside the box and push boundaries. Adobe’s commitment to creativity promotes an environment where employees feel inspired to innovate.
- Embrace change: Adapting to new challenges and opportunities.
- Be exceptional: Focusing on delivering the best in everything.
12. Costco
With a strong focus on employee well-being, Costco focuses on fair wages and benefits, creating a supportive work environment with high employee satisfaction and retention rates.
- Career growth: Offering opportunities for development within the company.
- Work-life balance: Supporting employees in maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life.
13. Slack
Slack’s culture is built on empathy and collaboration. The company values open communication and teamwork, fostering a supportive environment for diverse perspectives and innovation.
- Empathy in design: Understanding user needs to create effective products.
- Collaboration: Encouraging cross-functional teamwork to drive success.
14. The Body Shop
The Body Shop focuses on ethical sourcing and environmental sustainability. The company’s values reflect a dedication to social responsibility, building a loyal customer base that shares commitment to ethical practices.
- Fair trade practices: Supporting local communities through ethical sourcing.
- Cruelty-free products: Advocating against animal testing in the beauty industry.
15. Pixar
Pixar is known for its collaborative culture that promotes creativity and innovation. The company emphasizes teamwork and open communication.
- Feedback and improvement: Encouraging regular feedback to improve quality.
- Breaking down silos: Promoting collaboration across departments.
Building Your Company Values: Best Practices
How can you start building strong company values? Here are some tips to help you in the process:
- Assess your current culture: Understand the existing values within your organization.
- Engage employees: Talk to your employees and take into account their perspectives.
- Define core values: Clearly define the values that will guide your organization.
- Communicate and reinforce: Share the values with all employees and integrate them into daily operations.
By following these best practices, you will build a strong foundation for your company culture that connects with employees and drives success.
Understanding Company Values
Company values are principles that shape an organization’s identity and culture, affecting decision-making, employee behavior and workplace atmosphere.
Values are key for a company as they help employees interact with one another, approach their work and engage with customers.
They are important for several reasons:
- Employee retention: When employees connect with the company values, they are more likely to stay long-term.
- Enhanced productivity: A clear understanding of values increases motivation and productivity.
- Attracting talent: Companies with strong values are more appealing to potential hires, as they offer a clear sense of purpose, a positive work environment and a commitment to integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Company Values
Strong company values improve employee retention, increase productivity and attract top talent. They guide decision-making and build a unified work environment.
To develop effective company values, assess your current culture, engage employees in the process, define clear values and communicate them to your team.
Yes, company values can change as organizations grow and adapt to new challenges. Regularly review and update values to ensure they are relevant.
When employees align with company values, they feel more connected to the organization, boosting engagement and job satisfaction.
Company Values: Final Thoughts
Company values are key to an organization’s culture as they guide employee behavior and contribute to long-term success.
By defining values that align with your employees, you can build a positive work environment, increase engagement and attract top talent.
Leading companies like Google, Apple and Patagonia use strong company values to build inspired and high-performing teams.
To implement company values effectively, communicate them to your team members, lead by example and create opportunities for employees to use those values in their work.
