Principles

Definition

Principles are underlying rules, mechanisms, and settings that guide behavior and decision-making. They define how values are applied in practice.

In a business context, principles shape processes, boundaries, and everyday choices. While values define what matters, principles determine how it is handled.

Principles are values in operation.

Significance

Principles and values are closely related, but not the same. Values are defined as principles or qualities. Qualities provide content; principles provide structure. They are the rules we live by, often without realizing it.

A simple example is how people treat their personal space. Some operate on the principle of privacy. They would never invite strangers into their home. Others operate on a principle of openness and welcoming. They see new people as an opportunity for connection. Neither is right or wrong. They are simply preferences, different underlying rules shaping behavior.

The same applies to trust, control, communication, and countless daily decisions. Do you share access to your phone or finances? Do you delegate easily or hold on tightly? These choices are not random. They are governed by principles, often inherited or unconsciously adopted. You can think of them as invisible lines of code in your subconscious programming. This applies both individually and collectively. Companies also have their “way of doing things.” These are their operational principles.

Most people are flexible in some areas and highly principled in others. The issue is not which principles you have, but whether you are aware of where they come from and whether they feel authentically yours. When principles are unconscious, they can create friction, misunderstanding, or rigid behavior that no longer serves a purpose.

In my work, part of the process is making these principles visible. Once named, they can be examined, adjusted, and aligned with actual values and goals. This is where real flexibility and clarity begin.

Principles are not what you declare.
They are the rules you actually follow.

Resources

Coming soon