Core value · Stability family
Security
Confidence that the basics are covered
Also covers Certainty, Protection and Safety
What does security mean as a core value?
Security as a core value means building protection before you need it, such as savings, insurance and a plan B, so you and the people you love will be all right.
There’s a particular kind of calm that comes from knowing you’ll be all right. For you, that calm is worth a lot. You want the basics covered: a roof, an income, savings for a bad month, the people you love safe from harm. With those in place you can relax, take reasonable risks and give generously. Without them, it’s hard to think about much else. Valuing security is often a practical instinct to build protection before you need it.
What does security look like in practice?
- You keep an emergency fund and top it up before spending on extras.
- You read the contract, the policy or the small print before you sign.
- You prefer a salaried role with a pension over a riskier offer with a bigger upside.
- You make sure there’s a backup, whether that’s a second supplier or a spare key with a neighbour.
- You check that the people you’re responsible for are safe before turning to your own plans.
When is security overplayed?
When security is overplayed, no amount of protection feels sufficient. You keep saving past the point of need, turn down opportunities because they carry any uncertainty, or build so many contingencies that nothing moves. Teams led this way can become cautious and slow. The price is often the life you were securing in the first place. One way to keep it in proportion is to decide in advance what “enough” looks like, and treat reaching it as permission to stop guarding and start living.
Often confused with
Security vs Stability
Stability is about things staying steady over time. Security is about being protected if they don’t: savings, insurance, a plan B.
Security vs Control
Control is shaping outcomes directly. Security is being covered whatever the outcome, and often means accepting you can’t control everything.
Security vs Wealth
Wealth is about accumulating money and what it brings. For someone who values security, money matters mainly as a cushion, and enough really is enough.
Questions to sit with
- What amount of money, protection or certainty would be enough, and have you already reached it?
- Which opportunity have you turned down because of the risk, and do you still agree with that choice?
- Whose security are you really protecting, and have you asked them what they want?
More values in Stability
Safety, roots and solid ground.
About the author
Matt Rutherford is a Career and Leadership Coach. The Values Finder is the same exercise he uses with his coaching clients. He also writes Stuff that MattRs, a weekly newsletter with practical ideas to help you think clearer and work better.
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