Where

SECTION 2 do you w
to
o be?
ant

CORE VALUES CLARIFICATION EXERCISE

STEP 1: CORE VALUES LIST
Circle only the 8 value words that are most important to you, then narrow the list to 3 to 5 words. The blank lines
at the bottom of each column allow you to add your own value words if you do not find them on this list.

truth flexibility freedom

curiosity perspective friendship
efficiency commitment influence
initiative recognition decisiveness
environment learning justice
communication family harmony quality
power honesty hard work
control originality responsiveness
courage prestige fulfillment
competition prosperity purposefulness
excitement discipline diversity
creativity respect strength
happiness fairness self-control
honor order cleverness
innovation spirituality success
obedience adventure stewardship
financial growth cooperation support
community support humor equality
effectiveness collaboration harmony
integrity empathy patience
peace family growth
loyalty open-mindedness variety
clarity having adequate resources productivity
financial security autonomy competence
love dependability health
intelligence trust risk-taking
provide a legacy beauty simplicity
persistence excellence independence
sincerity teamwork comfortable home
fun service ____________________________________

relationships challenge ____________________________________

wisdom profitability ____________________________________

____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________

____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________

____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________
Based on work by Brock and Jeannie Brown, Integrity Consulting Services. Adapted with permission.

Cultivating Your Farm’s Future – Farm Succession Planning in Wisconsin 27

 Where
SECTION 2 do you w
to
o be?
ant

STEP 2: PRIORITY, OUTCOME STATEMENTS, AND BEHAVIORS

Please place your 3 to 5 Core Values in priority order and list the outcome statement and behavior indicators for
each of them. The behaviors do not need to be in priority order.

It is critical to place your Core Values in priority order in the event you face a decision where two values conflict.
For example, say you had Integrity as a higher value than Financial Growth and you were offered a substantial
amount of money as a gift that you know was obtained in an unethical manner. Taking the gift would improve your
Financial Growth value, but you would decline the gift because your Integrity value has higher priority.

EXAMPLES – CORE VALUES:

Core Value Outcome Statement

Integrity Do the right thing.
_____________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________

Behaviors:

• Tell the truth at all times

• Be ethical in all I do
• Be trustworthy

Core Value Outcome Statement

Relationships Demonstrate the awesome value of others.
_____________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________

Behaviors:

• Love people • Resolve conflicts

• Equip others to succeed • Recognize and reward success
• Expand circle of influence

Core Value Outcome Statement

Financial Growth Gradually increase personal net worth
_____________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

Behaviors:

• Manage debt • Fully pay credit card balances each

• Limit consumer spending month
• Make well-researched/wise investments

28 Cultivating Your Farm’s Future – Farm Succession Planning in Wisconsin

 Where
SECTION 2 do you w
to
o be?
ant

YOUR CORE VALUES:

Core Value Outcome Statement

_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

Behaviors:

Core Value Outcome Statement

_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

Behaviors:

Core Value Outcome Statement

_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

Behaviors:

Cultivating Your Farm’s Future – Farm Succession Planning in Wisconsin 29

 Where
SECTION 2 do you w
to
o be?
ant

Core Value Outcome Statement

_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

Behaviors:

Core Value Outcome Statement

_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

Behaviors:

STEP 3: MAKING SENSE OF THE RESULTS

You may have just identified your personal Core Values for the first time, or this exercise may have been a
reaffirmation of values of which you were already aware. Effective ethical leadership is about ensuring your behavior
is in line with your stated Core Values. In other words, having the courage to stand up for what you believe.

Your value words are powerful because they are yours,

regardless of the process you used to define them.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Is there alignment between your Core Values and your actual behavior? If not, where do you believe the gaps are?

Do you need to address any gaps between your Core Values and your actual behavior? If so, how will you go about
doing so?

30 Cultivating Your Farm’s Future – Farm Succession Planning in Wisconsin