Stop Selling Your Soul: How to Live Your Values Authentically at Work
Written by Monique Jordan-Cave
Your Career Bestie
Aligning Career With Personal Values
Hello, fellow Soul Leader,
We live in a world where people can swipe through your entire life story in 3.5 seconds, where workplace burnout is worn like a badge of honour, and where being "authentic" sometimes feels like a buzzword reserved for Instagram captions and overpriced oat milk lattes.
But here's the truth bomb, fellow soul leader: if you’re not living your core values, you’re not really living.
You're surviving. Floating. Wearing the costume but not owning the role.
Especially if you're working in the fast-paced, flashy, and often chaotic worlds of the entertainment industry.
Staying aligned with what really matters to you is the ultimate flex.
It’s how you stop faking it, start thriving, and actually enjoy what you do.
So, grab a coconut water, cosy up in your favourite hoodie, and let’s dig deep.
1. What the Heck Are Core Values, Anyway?
Think of core values as your internal compass – the non-negotiable beliefs and vibes that make you, well, you.
They’re not fluffy woo-woo affirmations. They’re solid, soul-rooted truths like:
Creativity over conformity
Freedom over micro-management
Collaboration over competition
Whether you’re a fresh-faced assistant on your first day or a seasoned exec juggling a dozen productions, your values are your North Star.
They guide your decisions, your relationships, and your peace of mind.
Signs you're NOT living your core values:
You're exhausted, even after a "good" day.
You're saying yes when every cell in your body is screaming no.
You dread meetings because they feel fake, forced, or just out of sync.
Signs you ARE living them:
You feel lit up by your work.
You say no without guilt.
Your team respects your boundaries and vision.
2. Why Authenticity is the Secret Sauce in Your Career (and Life)
Spoiler alert: being authentic isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being real.
And in industries where image can often trump integrity, standing in your truth is a total game-changer. When you align your actions with your values, something magical happens:
You attract the right people (and repel the energy-drainers)
You lead with confidence, not fear
You inspire loyalty instead of managing with micromanagement and mayhem
Authenticity breeds trust, and trust is the currency of every creative, collaborative, people-powered business on the planet.
Real talk: You can only fake it for so long before your soul taps out.
And when it does, no amount of awards, applause, or applause emojis will fill the void.
3. How to Identify Your Core Values Without Losing Your Mind
If you're wondering, "Cool... but how do I find my core values?", you’re not alone.
Here’s a fun, simple way to get started.
Grab a notebook or open your Notes app, and ask yourself:
What moments made me feel alive, proud, and like I was exactly where I was meant to be?
Now flip it. Ask:
What moments made me feel small, ignored, angry, or out of alignment?
Patterns will pop up. Maybe it’s autonomy, creativity, integrity, or kindness.
Write them down.
Narrow them down to your Top 5 Non-Negotiables.
These are your ride-or-die values.
Bonus hack: Ask your team or close friends how they experience you when you’re at your best.
You might be surprised what comes up (hello, unexpected leadership vibes!).
4. Living Your Values at Work Without Becoming "That Person"
Now that you’ve uncovered your core values, how do you live them out loud without becoming the walking HR email?
Easy. Start with you.
Set boundaries like a boss. (Protect your time, energy, and sanity.)
Speak your truth in meetings, even if your voice trembles.
Choose projects that light you up, not just ones that check boxes.
And if your team or boss isn’t aligned with your values? You’ve got options:
Model the behaviour you want to see. Be the culture shift.
Have honest convos. Sometimes people don’t even know they’re out of alignment.
Know when to bounce. If it’s draining your soul, it’s too expensive.
THE COMPANY OWNS THE JOB…
YOU OWN YOUR CAREER!
Tip for managers: When your leadership is values-based, your team feels safe. Safe to share, to fail forward, to innovate.
That’s when the real magic happens.
5. The Long Game: Aligning Your Whole Life (Not Just Your Job)
Living your core values isn’t just about work. It’s about how you wake up, show up, and light up every damn day.
Ask yourself:
Do my friendships reflect my values?
Do my health habits align with how I want to feel?
Does my free time actually feed me or just distract me?
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about choosing, again and again, to live like you mean it.
When your life is rooted in authenticity, your energy shifts.
You walk into rooms differently. You pitch with passion. You stop people-pleasing.
You become magnetic – not because you’re trying, but because you’re finally in sync with YOU.
So, whether you’re writing jingles, leading brainstorms, or wrangling a wild production schedule, remember: your vibe is your value.
Own it. Live it. Share it.
Own Your Truth, Lead With Heart, and Live Aligned
You weren’t born to fit into a system. You were born to shape it.
Living your core values isn’t some self-help gimmick. It’s the most radical, real, and rewarding way to build a career and a life you actually love.
So, take the time. Do the inner work. Reflect. Realign. Rewrite the rules if you have to. Just make sure your success doesn’t come at the cost of your soul.
You can be wildly successful AND wildly aligned.
That’s the new power move.
💡 What’s one core value you’ve been ignoring, and what would your work and life look like if you finally honoured it?
Let me know in the comments below.
Over to you!
MJx
Please feel free to share this article with a loved one, friend or colleague.
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