Aligning Your Career with Your Values: The Secret to Professional Fulfilment
Over the past week, I’ve received some unexpected encouragement from both strangers and people I know about my article "Discovering Your Core Values: The Key to a Meaningful Life.” As a writer, feedback from readers is my way of knowing when I’ve struck a chord, and it’s always heartening to hear that what I’ve written has resonated with others. It seems that exploring the deep and personal journey of uncovering what truly matters is important to many of you! But I’ve only just scratched the surface. Now, it’s time to take that understanding a step further.
Now that you’ve identified your core values, the next question is: how do you integrate them into your professional life to find true fulfilment?
“Aligning your career with your values is about living a life that feels true to who you are.”
Bridging the Gap Between Values and Career
Your values are more than just guiding principles; they are the foundation of what makes you feel alive and purposeful. Aligning your career with these values is essential for achieving professional fulfilment. A great example is Phil Knight, the founder of Nike. His memoir Shoe Dog is well worth reading because Knight reflects on how his passion for running and belief in innovation drove him to create a company that wasn’t just about selling shoes but about inspiring athletes to reach their full potential. His values of perseverance, creativity, and pushing boundaries shaped Nike’s culture and mission, leading to a career that was not only successful but also deeply fulfilling. And let’s not forget—he changed the way we all wear footwear!
Reflecting on Your Current Career
The first step in aligning your career with your values is introspection. Reflect on your current role—does it allow you to live out your values? If you value creativity but spend most of your time on routine tasks, or if you cherish autonomy but feel micromanaged, there’s likely a disconnect. Ask yourself: How often do I get to express my values at work? When was the last time I felt truly fulfilled by what I do? These questions can reveal whether your career is nourishing your core self or if it's time for a change.
For instance, imagine you’re in a marketing role but deeply value social impact. If your company focuses solely on profit-driven campaigns, you might feel unfulfilled. However, if you were to join a non-profit or social enterprise where your marketing skills contribute to a cause you care about, that alignment could bring a greater sense of purpose to your work.
Finding Fulfilment in Small Adjustments
Not every misalignment requires a drastic change. Often, subtle shifts within your existing role can bring you closer to the fulfilment you seek. For instance, if you value helping others, consider mentoring a colleague or taking on projects with a positive social impact. If growth and learning are important to you, why not propose a new project that challenges you or seek out professional development opportunities that excite you?
Consider the example of a teacher who values creativity but feels constrained by a rigid curriculum. By incorporating more creative activities into their lessons—such as project-based learning or integrating the arts—they can align their daily work more closely with their core values without needing to leave the profession. As a psychologist and teacher myself, I’ve discovered that there’s plenty of room to express one’s values in this field—not just through creativity, but also by choosing the right teaching environment. I’ve taught in secondary schools, but at this stage in my life, I find that teaching adults aligns more closely with my current values and preferences.
Communicating Your Values
Another key step is to clearly communicate your values with your employer. While this might feel daunting, transparency can lead to unexpected opportunities. Discussing your core values with your supervisor or team can open doors to new roles or responsibilities that better align with what you find meaningful. For example, if you value innovation but feel stifled in a routine role, expressing this could lead to opportunities to work on more dynamic projects or even shift to a position that better suits your strengths.
When I moved to Toronto and started working in the corporate sector at ING Canada, I was informed that most employees could only take a minimum of two weeks of vacation after working for 12 months. However, travel was really important to me, so I decided to share this with my manager. To my surprise, she approved all my travel requests, and I ended up taking more than two weeks off that year.
Considering a Career Shift
If small adjustments aren’t enough, and you find that your current field is fundamentally out of sync with your values, it might be time to consider a more significant career change. This doesn’t mean you have to leap into the unknown immediately. Start by researching industries or roles that better align with what matters most to you. Networking with professionals in those fields can provide valuable insights and inspiration. The key is to move slowly and thoughtfully, ensuring that each step you take brings you closer to a career that feels authentic to who you are.
Take, for example, someone who has spent years in finance but deeply values environmental sustainability. A gradual shift into roles focused on green finance or sustainable investing could offer better alignment with their values, leading to greater professional fulfillment. I went through a similar process when I wanted to travel. I decided to complete my teaching qualifications, thinking it would make it easier to find employment overseas since exploration and travel were my priorities at that time. However, I ended up in the corporate sector and found that I loved it. After that season of exploration, it was time to start a family, so I made another career shift back to psychology, which offered flexible working hours in private practice. Now, I get to do both—teach and offer psychological services.
The Long-Term Benefits
In this age of portfolio careers, aligning your work with your values isn’t just about finding a job you love—it’s about crafting a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling. When your work reflects your values, you’re more likely to experience a deep sense of purpose, resilience during tough times, and genuine satisfaction that goes beyond a paycheck. You’ll also build stronger relationships with colleagues who share or respect your values, creating a supportive and inspiring work environment.
Conclusion
Your career is a significant part of your life, and it deserves to be aligned with the values you’ve worked so hard to discover. This alignment isn’t a one-time task but an ongoing journey, as I’ve found in my own life. As you grow and evolve, so too will your values and your career. Stay open, stay reflective, and remember that true professional fulfilment isn’t just about success; it’s about living a life that feels authentic and true to who you are.
By bringing your core values into your career, you're not just finding a job—you’re finding yourself.
Stay tuned for my Cultural Identity Blueprint, which will further explore basic human values to help you clarify what truly matters to you.
If you found this article helpful, please share it with someone who might benefit from reading it!
Want to know more? Subscribe below today.
About the Author
Lidia Lae, Ph.D., is a writer, psychologist, and speaker, committed to empowering individuals and organisations to build healthier cultures for meaningful contribution.