How to Stay True to Your Values, Even When Others Are Not
You’re doing good work, when suddenly the vibe changes. The culture at work is shifting fast. And not in a good way.
It’s subtle at first. That manager who used to speak up in meetings now stays suspiciously quiet. The team that used to push for excellence is now pushing deadlines… out the window. Or decisions are made that feel the opposite of human-centered. You start hearing things like, “Well, that’s just how it works around here now,” or “Pick your battles.”
You’re left wondering: Have we all collectively lowered the bar while I wasn’t looking?
And now you’re feeling pressure—spoken or not—to compromise what you believe is right. Just a little. Just this once. Just enough to “fit in.”
Let’s talk about what to do when the culture starts slipping, and you don’t want to go down the slide with it.
How to Stay True to Yourself When the Culture at Work is Shifting (An Asking for a Friend Video)
1. Know What You Stand For
You cannot hold the line on culture at work if you don’t know where the line is.
So before you try to be the voice of reason in a meeting or the lone brave soul saying, “Actually, that’s not OK”—pause.
Ask yourself:
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What are the top 3 values that guide how I work?
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What kind of behavior crosses the line for me?
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What decisions would keep me up at night if I went along with them?
Don’t just think them. Write. Them. Down.
They’re your compass. Because in shaky culture, clarity is power.
2. Pay Attention to the Micro-Moments
Workplace culture doesn’t collapse overnight. It’s death by a thousand eye-rolls. A dozen “just this once” exceptions. A handful of “Let’s not rock the boat.”
The real danger isn’t the big ethical blowout—it’s the tiny choices we tell ourselves don’t matter.
You do have power here. Ask yourself:
In this moment, what’s the most values-aligned way I can show up?
Sometimes that means saying something. Sometimes it means not laughing along. Sometimes it means raising a tiny red flag when everyone else is busy looking the other way.
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Don’t underestimate micro-moves. They shape culture just as much as mission statements.
3. Don’t Just Vent. Make a Case.
If you feel something’s off, don’t start with “this feels weird” and expect action.
Instead, try these powerful phrases:
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“I’ve noticed X is happening.”
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“Here’s why I think that’s a risk to our team / trust / performance.”
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“Here’s my recommendation for how we handle this differently.”
The more grounded you are, the harder it is for your feedback to be brushed off as “overreacting.”
4. Know There Might Be Consequences—But So Is Silence
Standing up in a culture that’s sliding is not a popularity move.
Sometimes people will sideline you. Sometimes they’ll tell you to “just let it go (more in the video above)” You might even get that look in the meeting—the one that says, “Can you just not right now?”
So yes—raising your voice might shake things up. But staying silent? That erodes you.
You don’t have to be a culture crusader or the office moral compass. But you do have a responsibility to yourself not to check your values at the door just to survive the day.
So, when things start shifting:
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Get clear on who you are.
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Show up intentionally in the micro-moments.
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Be specific if you speak up.
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Accept that discomfort is part of the deal—and still worth it.
Because the real question isn’t “What will they think if I speak up?”
It’s “What will I think of myself if I don’t?”
If you’re looking for more practical tips for dealing with challenging situations at work, check out our book Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Workplace Conflict.
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