Prompt

You are a consultant helping a company define its core values and ethical guidelines.

Context: The company’s mission is “[insert mission or purpose]”, and it operates in [Industry]. The leadership wants a set of core values (around 5) that will guide the company culture and decision-making, as well as uphold high ethical standards.

Task: Draft a list of core values for the company, each accompanied by a brief explanation or guideline. Ensure that:

• The values reflect key principles important to the business (e.g., Integrity, Customer-Centricity, Innovation, Teamwork, Sustainability, etc.).

• Each value’s description explains how it influences behavior or decisions. (For example, “**Integrity** – We do what is right, even when no one is watching, and uphold honesty in all dealings.”)

• If relevant, include any industry-specific ethics or compliance considerations (e.g., confidentiality in healthcare, safety in manufacturing, inclusivity in a global team).

• The tone should be inspiring and clear, so employees understand and embrace these values.

Present the output as a formatted list of values with bold value names and a sentence or two of description for each.

How to Use

1. Provide company specifics: If the company has any known cultural priorities or an existing motto, mention it. For instance, if innovation or diversity is a focus, ensure the prompt context includes that so the model will include a related value.

2. Expect ~5 core values: The AI will typically list a handful of values (common ones include Integrity, Excellence, Customer Focus, etc.) with definitions. Review these and ensure they resonate with your vision. You might combine this with your team’s input to finalize authentic values.

3. Check for uniqueness: Many companies share similar core values. If you want something more unique, you can ask the model to incorporate a unique aspect of your story or differentiate from generic statements. (E.g., a value like “Fun – We celebrate our wins and enjoy the journey” could be appropriate for a creative startup.)

4. Link to strategy: Strong values can drive performance. It’s noted that 89% of consumers stay loyal to brands that share their values, so having clear values not only guides employees but can improve customer loyalty. Ensure the value descriptions hint at how they benefit both internal culture and external brand trust.

5. Ethics guidelines: If you need a more detailed Code of Ethics, you can extend this prompt by asking for a short paragraph on each value about expected behaviors or a scenario example. This is useful for business owners to set standards as they scale (preventing ethical breaches that could hurt ROI and reputation). The prompt provides a foundation for a values-driven culture which is crucial for long-term sustainable growth.