Knowing what we value most in our work, relationships, and other commitments makes it easier to respond to opportunities and conflicts with integrity. The Value Sort is an excellent way to reflect upon what is most important to you personally and it is also a great way to stimulate conversations with peers, colleagues and family members. Watch the video below to learn more.

Click on the button above to access the online Value Sort exercise. This tool works both on desktop and mobile devices.

You will then sort the list of 35 values in terms of their relative importance to you. The order of the Values within each category does not matter, only the categories ranked from Least Important to Most Important. Reflection questions to consider after completing the Value Sort can be found here.

Note that this version of the value sort allows users to track group responses using “event codes”. This allows individuals from a larger group to compare their own value sort to the averages of the group. You may wish to not only reflect individually, but also as a group. A reference on group reflection of the value sort can be found here.

Not interested in completeing the value sort on a screen?

One way to complete the value sort on paper is using the Value Sort Handout. This activity can be printed so that individuals can write the values into the various columns and also includes individual reflection questions.

Groups completing the value sort in hard-copy may use the collating activity to see the rankings of the values without using the online tool.

Want to learn more about how to use the value sort? Watch our instructional video below.