please go beyond the Motherhood 5 core values….
Aug 23rd, 2007 by Vikram Rajan
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Core Values is vital to our inner Character (our outer Character is our Style). Yet reading corporate mission statements that list core values is like reading about motherhood and apple pie... Of course, of course, of course. Your personal brand core values should immediately make you stand out; after all, you're unique just as you are!
We all tend to agree with what I call the "MOTHERHOOD 5." It's the 5 values our mother's taught us. When we violate them, it is the most destructive and leads to the common media scandals. So we better remind ourselves, affirm 'em, and follow em... but our personal brands should go beyond these: 1. Honesty 2. Accountability (integrity) 3. Trust 4. Loyalty 5. Lawfullness.
How we put these principles into action may vary: For example, is going 85 in a 55 zone violating our core values? Not for me 
But more important for our Personal Brand core values, are the ones that MOST PEOPLE don't share: Its the values and principles that make us who we are, and differentiate us from the rest. Its also the values that help us connect with a niche target market Community that most of our peers won't.
For example... I have 3 core values that most people do not share: 1) Entrepreneurship - Less 5% of our nation practices this value, even though we are the global leader in free enterprise 2) Vegetarianism - Less than 10% practice a day-to-day philosophy of not killing animals for a living. 3) Frugality - I'm cheap. I don't thrive on status: I enjoy making money and spending money on people... but not on commodities. Ironically, I enjoy looking beyond brand status and am more practical. Personal brands are worth the emotional and economic value; rarely are corporate brands.
So beyond the typical "Motherhood 5" (the values our mom taught us), what are your core values that shape your personal brand?? I look forward to reading about you! Got anything to add to my Motherhood 5?
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Vikram - What a GREAT LIST! I was at a meeting a couple of weeks ago and heard this statement - “If you want to know who a person is; don’t ask them - watch them”. It’s sad to see so many who do not really know what their core values are and they allow others the ability to define them. In this particular instance, I was EXUDING my core values - which I’ve done since the day I hung my shingle out there - it was the REASON for hanging that shingle. So, it surprised me that someone didn’t listen and even respect what I valued.
At the core of relationship building, is trust. To develop trust, each person needs to believe that the other person values them. When that ceases, somebody leaves. It happens in business, in marriages and in friendships.