Every one of us is guided by a unique set of beliefs and values.

They shape how we see the world, how we make decisions, and how we behave especially when under pressure or faced with conflict.

Understanding our own beliefs and values (and recognising those of others) helps us respond with empathy rather than judgement.

1. What Are Beliefs?

Beliefs are the ideas we hold to be true.

They come from our upbringing, experiences, culture, religion, education and personal reflections.

Beliefs are not always facts, they’re our interpretations of what we think is true.

For example, one person may believe that “disagreeing with your manager shows disrespect,” while another believes that “open disagreement shows honesty.”

Neither is wrong — they simply come from different perspectives.

Tip: Remember that your beliefs are yours — not universal truths. Others may see things differently for valid reasons.

2. What Are Values?

Values are the deep principles that guide our choices and behaviour.
They show what matters most to us — things like honesty, respect, fairness, loyalty, kindness or success.
When our values are met, we feel content and motivated.
When they’re challenged or ignored, we can feel frustrated or defensive.

Tip: Conflict often arises when people’s values clash — for example, one person values efficiency while another values accuracy.

3. How Beliefs and Values Influence Conflict

Our beliefs and values influence how we view situations, how we react, and how we interpret others’ behaviour.

When someone’s actions go against what we believe or value, we may feel personally attacked, even if that wasn’t their intention.

For instance:

• If you value fairness, you might feel angry if you think someone is getting special treatment.

• If you value loyalty, you might struggle when a colleague leaves the team.

• If you believe authority should never be questioned, you may see open debate as conflict rather than collaboration.

Tip: In conflict, try to identify which value or belief is being challenged  it helps you understand the emotion behind the reaction.

4. Recognising and Respecting Differences

In a diverse workplace, people bring different belief systems and value sets.

These differences can lead to misunderstandings but can also be a source of strength and creativity when handled with respect.

Tip: Focus on common ground. Ask yourself, “What shared values do we have?” such as teamwork, integrity or doing a good job.

5. Living Your Values at Work

When your actions match your values, you build trust and credibility.

Teams that openly discuss their shared values tend to have fewer conflicts because everyone understands what’s important to each other.

Tip: Encourage team discussions around values.  For example, “What kind of workplace do we want to create?” This builds unity and mutual respect.

In Summary

Beliefs and values are the invisible forces behind every decision we make.

They explain why people see things differently and react in certain ways.

By recognising these drivers in ourselves and others we can handle conflict more calmly, find common ground, and build stronger working relationships.