The Importance of Understanding Your Why, Your Personal Values and How These Align with Your Company’s Values

This month I have been seeing lots of people talking about their why, their core values and company values. It had me reflecting back to the start of Twalk in 2019 and how my various career moves got me to where I am today.

Understanding Your Why

Simon Sinek’s “Start with Why” concept is the idea that inspiring leaders and organisations communicate from the inside out, starting with their purpose or belief (“Why”), then their process (“How”), and finally their tangible product or service (“What”). 

Our WHYs are an articulation of who we are. For most, a good WHY statement is simple, easy to understand, and reflective of the person to whom it belongs. The WHY statement should not include WHATS (the tangible things we do/job titles/etc). It should embody who you are in every facet of your life, not just work.

Adam Grant recently interviewed Brene Brown on her core values and her Whys – to which she answered…being courageous, being brave, having a meaningful life – without a meaningful life, what it is the point! I sort of agree…Check out the snippet here https://www.linkedin.com/posts/adammgrant_bren%C3%A9-brown-survives-my-favorite-approach-activity-7382089564070313986-PBMv?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAA7DPAB82vbT0ydo-2FrUWq3Sr_ysX0aTQ

When I set up Twalk, I was challenged on my Why and that is how the story of Twalk unfolded. Many of you have heard my story but if you need a reminder…check out the article here – https://twalk.com.au/taniasoulosceo/.

Understanding Your Core Values

Your core values are the beliefs that guide your behaviour and choices every day. They reflect what you stand for: integrity, respect, curiosity, compassion, innovation, teamwork, accountability – whatever principles define who you are when no one’s watching.

They show up in how you communicate, how you solve problems, and how you respond under pressure. When you’re clear on your values, you make decisions more confidently because they’re grounded in something solid and consistent.

The Importance of Value Alignment

Working for a company whose values align with your own creates a sense of authenticity and purpose. You’re not just “doing a job” – you’re contributing to something that feels meaningful and congruent with who you are.

When your personal values and your company’s values align:

• You feel connected to your work, your team, and your organisation’s mission.
• You’re more motivated because what you do every day reinforces what you believe in.
• You experience greater satisfaction and trust knowing that you don’t have to compromise who you are to succeed.
• You’re more resilient because shared values act as a compass when times are challenging or uncertain.

On the other hand, when there’s a misalignment, it often leads to friction, frustration, and disengagement. You might find yourself questioning decisions, struggling to feel inspired, or sensing that something just doesn’t fit, even if the work itself is interesting.

Culture Is Values In Action

In every workplace, culture isn’t something that just happens — it’s built, lived, and shaped by the people within it. At the heart of that culture are values: the shared beliefs and guiding principles that influence how decisions are made, how challenges are faced, and how people treat each other.

A company’s culture is, in essence, its values in action. It’s not just what’s written on the website or displayed in the lobby – it’s how people behave, how leaders make decisions, and how success is defined.

If a company says it values collaboration but rewards only individual performance, or claims to value innovation but discourages new ideas, that inconsistency undermines trust and engagement.

Strong cultures emerge when employees and leaders live the values daily — through actions, recognition, and accountability.

For Twalk, we are letting the sunshine into the boardrooms of Australia and beyond. We give leaders permission to get outside and engage in their outdoor passion while walking the talk. 

Twalk brings together expert leadership consultants, executive mentors, executive coaches, life and wellbeing strategists to bring out the best in leaders and their teams.

The Twalk method taps in to what it is to be human. Breathe, get up, get outdoors! Whether it’s going for a hike along a coastline, going for a stroll on the golf course, getting salty on a paddle board, Twalk harnesses activity with mindfulness to help leaders focus on achieving better business strategies and outcomes. Bottom line? Real results.

Twalk, a healthier, happier, interactive way to achieve real and sustainable results for Executives, professionally and personally.

Twalk’s approach is underpinned by four core values: Connection, Collaboration, Trust and Passion.

CONNECTION

Twalk believe that our best business is done with those we have true connections with. At Twalk we know and trust and celebrate our connections.

COLLABORATION

We believe in collaboration, not competition. At Twalk we represent companies and brands that hold values that are aligned to our own. We believe by working together we can have a greater impact helping our clients address their business issues.

TRUST

At Twalk, we know that trust is foremost. We always work towards ensuring our clients use us as their trusted advisors. Clients can Twalk to us about their business, about their people, about their teams. 

PASSION

Passion breeds passion! Twalking together, we aim to create change, make a difference and get real results to improve the bottom line, while at the same time resulting in happier workplace experiences. 

TWALK – it’s a movement with movement!

Leadership Tip of The Month

Alignment between your personal values and your company’s culture isn’t a luxury – it’s essential for long-term fulfilment and success. When your beliefs and the organisation’s principles resonate, work feels natural, meaningful, and energising.

Ultimately, a strong company culture is built one person at a time – by individuals who know what they stand for and choose to work where those values are not only respected but shared.

So spend some time this month considering what is Your Why?, what are your personal values, what are your company’s values and culture, and are those personal and company values aligned? Let me know your thoughts and if we should Twalk about it…

Let’s TWALK Christmas!

In case you missed last week’s Tuesday Twalk, 20% off Twalk Christmas Parties til the end of October. Call me now to discuss your options and let’s come up with a creative, fun, different way to celebrate the end of the year!

With only 71 days til Christmas, what are you planning for your end of year celebration and thank you to your team?

For a Christmas party with a difference, come Twalk with us. Simply choose your outdoor passion: stand-up-paddle-boarding, hiking, golfing or perhaps even yoga, and let the experience of the Twalk team work its Christmas magic!

Enjoy the unrivalled Twalk team-building experience:

• Improved team dynamics
• Deeper workplace relationships
• Focus on common purpose
• Sustainable business results

Get a real return on your investment with tangible business results and a Christmas party you all remember!

If you are interested in hearing more, send me a DM, mention this offer and let’s Twalk Christmas!!🎄🎅🎉🥂

Til next month, get out Twalking and enjoy the sunshine – Spring has sprung!!