Integrating Your Values at Work: Moving from Misalignment to Motivation
Introduction: Good at Your Job… and Still Unfulfilled?
You can be great at your work and still feel like something’s off.
That disconnect, the one you can’t quite put your finger on, isn’t about skill. It’s about values.
You value connection, but your job isolates you.
You crave creativity, but your day is packed with checklists and process.
You want to serve, but you spend your time in spreadsheets.
That inner tension isn’t laziness. It’s not entitlement. It’s misalignment, and it’s why motivation disappears, even when you're technically succeeding.
The good news? You don’t have to burn everything down to fix it.
You can start by bringing your values back into the room.
What Does Values Misalignment Look Like?
Values misalignment doesn’t always mean hating your job.
Sometimes it looks like:
Feeling drained after a day of “productive” work
Dreading meetings that don’t feel meaningful
Wondering why success doesn’t feel satisfying
It’s when the way you work, and the why behind your work, no longer match the beliefs and principles that matter most to you.
It’s not that you’re failing. It’s that the work no longer feels like it reflects who you are.
How Misalignment Quietly Steals Your Motivation
When we spend too long in misalignment:
Our energy drops, even if we sleep well
We overthink simple decisions
We disengage, not because we don’t care, but because we care deeply and don’t feel seen
Eventually, we stop raising our hand. We play small. We retreat from impact.
And that creates guilt, confusion, and even shame: “Why can’t I just push through this?”
But here's the truth: Misalignment is a signal, not a flaw. It’s your values waving the red flag, asking you to pay attention.
The RISE Method: Integrate Phase
This is where the Integrate phase of the RISE Method comes in.
Once you've reflected on what’s missing or misaligned, the Integrate phase helps you reconnect your strengths and values with how you show up at work.
This isn’t about asking your company to change overnight or forcing yourself to be someone else. It’s about realigning how you work so your actions reflect what actually matters to you.
Reconnecting with Your Values: A Practical Path
Let’s walk through how to bring your values back into focus, and into your workflow.
1. Identify Your Core Values
Start with five. Think specifically about what matters most to you at work.
Here’s a non-exhaustive list to get you started:
Autonomy
Growth
Collaboration
Integrity
Creativity
Purpose
Balance
Connection
Once you’ve identified your top five, write a short phrase next to each explaining what it means to you. (Example: “Collaboration = Having meaningful discussions where ideas are shared, not just delegated.”)
This personal definition helps you recognize when a value is truly present (or missing).
Try This:
“When I feel most alive in my work, it’s because I get to ______.”
Your answer usually points to a core value in action.
2. Spot the Gaps
Now ask: Where are these values showing up in my current work? Where are they absent or actively violated?
Some common gaps:
Value: Creativity → Gap: Routine, process-heavy tasks dominate your day
Value: Connection → Gap: Working solo with minimal team interaction
Value: Purpose → Gap: No clear connection between your efforts and the mission
You can love your title, your salary, or even your manager, and still feel off if the work itself doesn’t reflect your core values.
3. Integrate One Small Change
Don’t try to overhaul everything at once. Choose one area where you can take a small, values-based action.
Examples:
If you value collaboration, start a 15-minute daily huddle with a few teammates.
If you value creativity, propose a new way to approach a recurring problem.
If you value growth, block time each week for self-directed learning.
Aligned action doesn’t have to be dramatic. It just has to be real.
Real-Life Example: From Isolation to Energy
One of my clients, a project manager, came to me feeling like her spark was gone. She was organized, effective, and respected but spent 90% of her day working alone.
Her top value? Connection.
She didn’t need a new job. She needed more moments of meaningful interaction.
We started small: one informal daily check-in with a colleague. No agenda. Just connection.
Within weeks, her energy shifted. Her engagement increased. Her work didn’t change, but how she felt doing it absolutely did.
Sometimes, the change we need isn’t out there. It’s how we bring ourselves back in.
Motivation Isn’t a Mystery, It’s a Mirror
When your work reflects your values, motivation returns.
You stop performing. You start contributing.
You stop reacting. You start engaging.
You stop asking “How do I get through this?” and start asking “How do I make this matter?”
That’s not magic. That’s alignment.
Final Reflection: What’s One Way You Could Integrate a Core Value This Week?
Pick one of your top five.
Now ask: How can I express this value at work in a small, intentional way this week?
Write it down. Try it. Reflect on how it feels.
Integration isn’t a one-time event, it’s a practice. And each small shift moves you closer to sustainable motivation.
