Why “Caring” Isn’t a Value: The Case Against Using Present Participles for Defining Core Values

When defining the core values that guide your life, your business, or your team, the words you choose matter. The language we use to express values has a profound impact on how we understand and act upon them. One common mistake is framing values in their present participle or gerund form—those "-ing" words that imply ongoing action. While words like caring, sharing, or nurturing seem appropriate, they may not fully capture the essence of what a value should be.

Why a Value is Not a Present Participle

Grammatically, a present participle is a verb form that ends in -ing and is used to indicate ongoing action, process, or state of being (e.g., running, caring, learning). It implies movement, change, or progression toward something rather than embodying a stable or inherent quality.

In contrast, a value in the ViDA framework represents a state or trait that is intrinsic and constant in the present. Values reflect who we are now, rather than a forward-looking action or aspiration.

For example:

Feelings Evoked by Present Participles

When people read a present participle, it often triggers a sense of:

Why This Matters for Values

Framing values as present participles can shift their emotional weight from being affirmative and grounding (e.g., "I am kind") to being action-driven and evaluative (e.g., "Am I being kind enough?"). This subtle grammatical distinction may lead to a sense of inadequacy or a need to prove the value through action, rather than simply embodying it.

Practical Implications

In the ViDA framework, the goal is to:

By focusing on values as present states, you ground your identity in the now, rather than creating a loop of chasing ideals or measuring performance. This encourages confidence, stability, and a sense of authenticity.

In this post, I’ll explain why I prefer using states or traits rather than action-oriented words when defining values. I’ll also provide real-world examples, address common counterarguments, and offer actionable steps to ensure the clarity and longevity of your values.

1. Values Are States and Traits, Not Actions

At their core, values represent fundamental states or traits—the things that define who we are, what we believe in, and how we make decisions. Values like integrity, respect, and honesty are stable and enduring. They define our character and guide our choices, no matter the situation.

When we use a word like caring instead of care, we shift the focus from a state (the quality of being compassionate) to an action (the act of caring). This creates a subtle but important distinction. While actions are important, values should reflect what we stand for, not just what we do.

Practical Example:
Consider a nonprofit that listed "caring" as a core value. Initially, the term inspired employees to engage in compassionate actions. However, over time, the vagueness of "caring" led to confusion about how it should be operationalized. By reframing "caring" as "compassion," the organization clarified its intentions and implemented specific measures—like wellness policies and training programs—that fostered a lasting culture of care. This shift from action to state made the value clearer and more impactful.

2. Present Participles Imply Ongoing Action, Not Lasting Traits

Present participles (words ending in "-ing") emphasize ongoing or temporary action. For example, "caring" suggests an active, in-the-moment process of showing compassion. However, values are meant to be more than just actions—they are the drivers behind the actions. They remain constant, even when we’re not actively performing them.

Let’s look at the word nurturing. If you use nurturing as a value, it implies that you are continuously in the act of nurturing something. However, if you shift to nurture, you highlight the deeper quality of support and care that guides your actions. Nurture becomes a state of being rather than a description of an ongoing process. This makes it clearer and more aligned with the enduring nature of values.

Addressing Pushback:
Some might argue that "-ing" words feel dynamic and energizing. While this may be true, it’s important to remember that values are not just about describing actions—they are enduring principles that inspire those actions. For example, "caring" may feel more action-driven, but "compassion" captures the lasting commitment to care that underpins various behaviors. By focusing on the principle rather than the action, you create values that are stable and universally applicable.

3. Nouns Offer Clarity and Stability

When we express values as nouns—such as empathy, trust, or generosity—we create a sense of stability and clarity. These words represent long-term qualities that guide decisions, rather than actions that may come and go depending on the context.

Using a noun form makes it clear that the value is something you strive to embody at all times, not just during specific actions. For example:

Practical Counterexample:
Imagine a company listing "excelling" as a value. While it suggests striving for high standards, it also implies that excellence is tied to specific moments of achievement. By reframing it as "excellence," the company signals a broader commitment to high standards that extends beyond immediate actions, influencing every aspect of its work culture.

4. Values Should Be Enduring

Values are meant to be long-term, guiding lights that inform our actions in any context. They are not confined to specific instances or behaviours. This is why it’s important to use words that represent enduring qualities rather than temporary actions.

When we use a value like excellence, we signal a commitment to high standards at all times, not just when actively pursuing a task. Excellence as a trait defines how we approach our work, even when we’re not directly engaged in it. By contrast, a word like excelling (the present participle form) feels more fleeting—it suggests that we are only striving for excellence in certain moments, rather than embodying it as a core principle.

Conclusion: Choose Values That Represent Who You Are, Not Just What You Do

Values are about who you are at your core. They represent the traits and states that guide your behavior and decisions over the long term. While present participles and gerunds focus on what you are doing, they can lack the depth and consistency that true values need to have. By using nouns that reflect enduring qualities, you make your values clearer, more stable, and more aligned with the identity you seek to express.

Practical Steps:

This subtle shift in language brings deeper meaning and clarity to your guiding principles, ensuring they serve as a lasting foundation for both action and identity. As you refine your values, remember: the words you choose have the power to define not just your actions but your legacy.

Where Do Action Words Belong? In Your Principles

If action words like "caring" and "nurturing" don’t belong in your values, where do they fit? The answer lies in your principles. Principles are action-oriented guidelines or rules that direct how we put our values into practice. They are practical, specific, and situational, providing actionable steps to help us live in alignment with our core values.

Values vs. Principles: What’s the Difference?

For example:

While values provide the why, principles offer the how—the concrete actions that bring values to life.

Using Action-Oriented Words to Define Principles

Action-oriented words like "caring," "nurturing," or "sharing" belong in your principles because they focus on behaviour, not character. Principles take the abstract concept of values and make them practical, actionable, and easy to follow in various contexts.

Here are a few examples of principles that incorporate action-oriented language:

By anchoring action words in principles, you create clear guidelines that help individuals and teams behave in ways that align with their values. This ensures that your values don’t remain abstract ideals but instead become tangible drivers of meaningful action.

Why This Distinction Matters

When values and principles are clearly differentiated, they serve complementary roles:

Without clear principles, values can feel vague and impractical. Without values, principles lack the deeper purpose that connects actions to identity and meaning. Together, they create a robust framework for consistent, value-driven action.

By placing action words in your principles rather than your values, you create a system where your values define what you stand for, and your principles clarify how you live those values in the real world. This distinction ensures that your guiding beliefs remain clear, actionable, and impactful across every aspect of your life and work.