When values go too far

May 2026 | 5min read

Most leaders never question their values.

We celebrate them. Values such as Integrity. Empathy. Accountability. Health. Family.

They’re the principles that guide our decisions and shape how we show up at work and in life.

But during a recent leadership development session with the senior leadership team at the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc, I asked a simple yet difficult question: What are potential barriers, drawbacks or blindspots of this value if not managed well?

And this group was on FIRE. Extraordinary connection. Massive value. High trust and psychological safety.

Doug (HR leader) and I had been speaking for some time, trying to find the right opportunity for me to serve this team. When we scheduled the session, it never really occurred to us that it would be happening on the Friday afternoon before a long weekend.

The entire team attended and made it all the way to the end before heading out for the long weekend. Bonus points for this group.. Leading my example! 😃

Self-awareness in a new way

While most of us spend time thinking about why our values matter, very few of us spend time thinking about where they might trip us up.

As I continue to evolve my approach to leadership development, team engagement and coaching, I’ve realized something interesting.

We don’t see the world as it is. We see the world from our perspective that’s based on experiences, triggers, trauma, successes, wins, etc.

Everything we experience becomes a filter through which we interpret situations, people, and decisions.

Which means, life and perspective isn’t black or white, rather a whole lot of grey. I’m not talking 50 shades of grey. Don’t make this weird! 😃

That’s why two people can hold the exact same value and behave very differently. Context matters

If not managed well, barriers, drawbacks or blind spots will show up for our values.

Every value has a blind spots

Values aren’t good or bad. Rather, they’re simply tools.

And like any tool, they can be incredibly useful when applied properly and problematic when taken too far.

This is where self-awareness becomes critical, but in a new way. Not because we need different values. But because we need to recognize when a strength starts becoming a liability.

Here are a few examples.

Integrity can become rigidity

Integrity is often considered one of the most important leadership values. But when pushed too far, integrity can become inflexibility.

You may:

• struggle to adapt.
• expect others to operate according to your standards without considering their perspective.
• see situations as right or wrong while missing important context in the middle. 

Empathy can become avoidance

Empathy helps us build trust, strengthen relationships, and create psychological safety. But empathy without boundaries can become exhausting.

You may:

• absorb other people’s emotions.
• avoid difficult conversations because you don’t want someone to feel uncomfortable.
• spend so much time understanding others that you stop addressing performance or accountability concerns. 

Health can become perfectionism

Health, wellness, and fitness are important values. But even healthy habits can create challenges when taken to an extreme.

You may:

• become overly rigid with routines.
• judge yourself harshly when life interrupts your plans.
• unintentionally expect others to prioritize health the same way you do.

The leadership lesson

One of the biggest breakthroughs in leadership development isn’t just discovering your values.

It’s understanding how those values show up under pressure: when you’re stressed, when you’re frustrated, when you’re tired, when you’re making difficult decisions.

This is often when the blind spots reveal themselves. Which is why emotional intelligence, leadership coaching, and personal development begin with awareness.

Your turn

Take a moment and think about one of your core values.

Ask yourself:

• How does this value help me?
• When does it serve me best?
• Where could it occasionally get in my way?
• What would balance look like?  

What’s one value you’re proud of that occasionally becomes a blind spot?

Conquer your potential!

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