Let’s get one thing straight: Core Values are not some corporate BS you stick on a wall and forget about.
If you’re a veteran, you know what real core values look like. They’re not just words—they’re lived. Day in, day out. They guide behavior, drive decisions, and define who’s in and who’s out.
In EOS®, we treat Core Values the same way. They are the heartbeat of your company culture—and if you’re not using them, you’re navigating without a compass. (You might stumble upon the culture you want but it won’t be intentional.)
So, What Are Core Values?
They’re the handful of guiding principles that define who you are at the core. Not who you aspire to be. Who you actually are—on your best day. And who you want to be surrounded by.
These aren’t just nice-sounding words. Or things that are table stakes. They’re specific to your team, your DNA. If you’re a veteran-owned business, chances are words like discipline, grit, adapt and overcome, team before self, or take charge of your post might show up. And if they’re true to you—own them.
Why They Matter
Here’s what happens when you get your Core Values right (and actually live and breathe them):
- You hire better. You bring in people who actually fit your culture.
- You lead better. You hold your team to a shared standard.
- You grow better, faster, and easier. Because alignment beats chaos every time.
Your Core Values become your people filter. You use them to hire, review, and fire. If someone violates a Core Value—even if they’re a top performer—they’ve got to go. Period.
Living the Values
At EOS, we don’t just talk about Core Values—we live them. That means:
- Reading them out loud in meetings.
- Calling them out in shout-outs and corrections.
- Making them part of every interview, review, and decision.
Because here’s the truth: Culture doesn’t just happen. You build it. Brick by brick, person by person.
Final Thoughts
If you’re leading a veteran-owned business, Core Values are already in your blood. You’ve seen what it’s like to serve with people who live by a code. Your business should be no different.
So don’t let them get dusty in a binder somewhere. Find them. Live them.
And if you need help uncovering what really drives your team, you know where to find me.
