XYPN Operating System | Your Core Values

WHY WE DECLARE CORE VALUES 

Your core values are essentially the heart of how your firm operates every single day, year in and year out. Think of these values as the groundwork for everything you do, from hiring new people to picking out technology to the way you interact with clients.

When you lay these out clearly, you set a standard for behavior and performance that keeps your whole team on the same page. And when you share them externally, clients and prospects get a better sense of who you are. This helps them assess if your values match theirs, which is key to building trust and a more compatible relationship.

WHAT TO CONSIDER 

To articulate your core values, you'll start by brainstorming the words you believe describe you and your firm. You can kick off with some of the words you used in your purpose statement brainstorming. Just remember, core values are about you and your firm culture, not your clients. Take note, you aren't creating phrases yet, only words!

You'll most likely have words that seem similar, but decide what resonates the most to narrow it down to 5 or 6 values that truly reflect how you want your firm to present itself to the world. Try to avoid things that are obvious or that we expect all humans to adhere to. Being ethical is taken for granted. What else is there about you that goes beyond the expected? 

LET'S GET STARTED! 

You can begin sentences with "We are…" or "I am…" to help you think of words. Once you have gathered as much as you can think of, narrow it down to 5 or 6. If you are struggling to reduce the number, first gather similar words, then compare pairs and pick the better of the pair. Continue until you have the true core of your list. 

You may find you combine a few into a very short phrase; that is fine. You may also wish to have a core value word, followed by what that means to your firm.  

LOOKING FOR EXAMPLES?

Various firms' core values: 

• We lead with empathy, we act with care
• Doing the right thing always
• Pioneering
• Collaborative– we help our clients in various aspects of their financial puzzle.  We will be helpful and mentor them in subjects that may not be familiar to them
• We believe in simplicity
• Do simple, well
• Supportive—we care about our clients and each other
• We strive to be a welcoming and friendly environment to all who enter our offices

XYPN's core values:

• Mission driven
• Be well, being you
• Win together / Lose together 
• Get sh!t done 
• Do the right thing

Last Updated: 8/24/26