When Your Values and Your Company’s Values Do Not Align

By Dr. Mary Kelly, Economist, Leadership Strategist, and Keynote Speaker

You may have experienced this revelation. The organization you work for does not believe in the same things you do.

Maybe you joined a company because you needed a job, or because it seemed like a wonderful opportunity at the time. But over the months or years, you start to feel uneasy. You notice decisions, actions, or attitudes that do not sit right. You catch yourself thinking, “This just does not feel right. This is not me.”

That is the signal. It is not drama. It is data.

Your values and the company’s values are not lining up.

Vegetarian in the Steakhouse Problem

I call this the “vegetarian working at a steakhouse” dilemma.

A few months ago, I took a client to dinner at one of those high-end steakhouses — white tablecloths, leather chairs, and the kind of menu that makes you want to skip lunch just to be ready.

It was supposed to be an elegant, easy, relaxed evening. The conversation was flowing, the client was happy, and I was relieved that the reservation had worked out perfectly.

Then our server came to the table. She was friendly but not helpful. As she described the cuts of steak, the specials, and the chef’s recommendations, she added, “I do not eat meat myself. “The client blinked. I smiled politely and awkwardly.

What? Why would you be in the industry that sells meat if you are opposed to it?

Your values do not align.

Why are you here?

Fix it By Refining Your Own Values

Start by getting crystal clear on what matters most to you.

Ask yourself:

• What do I stand for?
• What do I refuse to compromise?
• What kind of work makes me proud?

Values are not slogans. They are your personal decision filters. They help you determine where you can adapt and where you cannot.

Write them down. Define what they look like in action. “Integrity” means different things to different people — be specific about what it means to you.

When you know your core values, you will spot the misalignments faster — and handle them with more clarity and less guilt.

Observe First

Sometimes the gap between your values and the company’s values is not as big as it feels.

Ask yourself:

• Is this a true ethical conflict, or a difference in approach?
• Is it one department or the whole organization?
• Can I influence positive change from where I am?

If it is a matter of communication or leadership style, there may be room to bridge the gap. But if it is a fundamental value or if it is criminal then it is not a misunderstanding. It is wrong.

Decide If You Can Stay

This is the hardest part.

You may need the paycheck. You may love some of the people. You may have worked hard to get where you are. But if your job constantly forces you to compromise your values, you will eventually burn out — or worse, become someone you do not want to be.

No title, salary, or benefit package is worth losing your peace of mind or your integrity.

As I tell my coaching clients: you cannot thrive where your soul does not fit.

Make a Plan

If you know it is time to leave, do not panic — plan.

• Update your resume and network intentionally.
• Start exploring organizations whose missions truly align with yours.
• Be proactive, not reactive — move toward what you want, not just away from what you do not.

Leaving for the right reasons is not quitting. It is maturing.

Carry Your Values

When you find the right place — one that aligns with your beliefs and your goals — everything changes. Work becomes easier. Decisions come faster. Relationships feel more genuine.

You bring your full self to the table, and that benefits everyone.

If you are the vegetarian working at a steakhouse, you do not need to argue with the menu. You need to find a kitchen that aligns with what you want to serve. Because you cannot do your best work in a place that forces you to be someone you are not.