Top 3 Rising Core Values in 2025: Why Kindness, Responsibility, and Empathy Are on the Rise
Our core values are shifting in 2025.
As we approach the end of the first quarter of 2025, we’ve noticed some fascinating shifts from collecting core values data on over 7,000 participants since 2021. The way people define what matters most is evolving.
Our latest Core Values Quiz data (from Jan 1 – March 1, 2025) reveals that some values are rising faster than ever, signaling a cultural shift toward Kindness, Responsibility, and Empathy.
? The Top 3 Rising Core Values in 2025:
1️⃣ Kindness (+4.96%) ? More people are choosing kindness as a core value, prioritizing compassion and connection over competition.
2️⃣ Responsibility (+3.75%) ✅ A growing number of people are stepping up to take ownership of their choices, actions, and impact.
3️⃣ Empathy (+3.31%) ? Emotional intelligence is more valued than ever as people seek to understand others more deeply.
? What’s Driving This Shift in Core Values in 2025?
We’re in a peak time in our history when people feel more divided, judged, and victimized than ever before. As a coach and facilitator, I am holding space for leaders all over the country who are more overwhelmed now than during the pandemic.
While different in conditions, the energy of this time feels very similar to March of 2020. En masse, people were (understandably) freaking out from lack of control, losing their work and livelihoods, and afraid of the unknown.
“Freaking out” was pretty much the acceptable standard of living since we were all going through it collectively, and we fed off each other’s energy. Plus, social media keeps us glued to each other’s energy 24/7. So we are doing this energy exchange around the clock, whether you realize it or not.
More than ever, people are sick and tired of the LACK of Kindness, Responsibility, and Empathy in the world around them. They feel like no matter where they turn, someone is being rude, shirking the issues of others, and not giving a damn in the process.
And here’s the deal: People often choose their core values based on what they want to see more of in other people, instead of themselves.
For example…
I have a super high-achieving coaching client who said she wanted to amp up her relationship with her core value of Responsibility. Since this is already a part of her natural operating system, I was confused and asked, “Tell me more about why that feels important to you now.”
She said, “I really want my team to be more responsible, so I want to focus on this to help us all do better.”
Ah ha! The rub was obvious as soon as she explained. I went on to coach her on something that many people get wrong…
Values are inside of you. Not outside of you. And not something you can control in others.
What motivates you and what motivates them is likely different. So to assume you can dial up your responsibility to get others to join could actually have the opposite impact with those it doesn’t resonate with. Creating more division than connection.
Core values are most impactful when you focus on what they can do for yourself.
So I asked, “Where do you want to be more Responsible for yourself? Where might you be neglectful in how you’re taking care of yourself? How might you take responsibility for your quality of life and well-being with no expectations from others?”
And the lightbulb went on. ?
Values are the invitation to go within yourself to see where you can drive your own sense of energy, alignment, and purpose each day.
The lack of control right now comes from thinking control is only possible when other people change.
The truth (of any time in history) is that you can only ever truly control yourself. In your mind, your body and your spirit.
You get to decide what goes on in that inner world of yours. And you get to take your power back by choosing to double down on your values for your own good.
Suppose you want to experience more Kindness in the world around you. Ask, “How might I be kinder to myself? Where am I being unkind to myself that I can shift? Is it in the way I talk to myself? How do I treat my body? What do I allow myself to do or not do?”
Empathy? “How can I be more empathetic towards my inner child? Where can I take care of my needs so I’m more equipped to help others? How might I see my own circumstances as opportunities to suspend judgment and ignite compassion?”
This goes for any core value you want to see more of in the world. Ask yourself, how can I activate that in my inner world? How can I be in complete control of that belief in myself? How can I give this to myself each day without excuses? How can I take my power back by choosing this instead of hoping I find it in others?
? Check In With Yourself:
Are your values shifting, too? Take our Core Values Quiz and find out what’s driving you in 2025.
Pretty cool, huh? By looking in the mirror, you can take full control now. The choice is yours and I’m here if you want support along the way.
Just send me an email and we can see what step 1 might look like. ?
P.S.
Wanna know about other trends we may be able to find in our core values data? Comment on what you’re curious about and we’ll see if we can write a future article about it.
