Why Employers and Workers Love the CVI

Unlike traditional personality or behavior tests, the CVI measures what a person is rather than how they act.

In the evolving landscape of talent acquisition, organizations are increasingly turning to psychometric assessments to enhance their hiring strategies. Among the most innovative and insightful tools available is the Core Values Index™ (CVI)—a psychometric assessment that identifies a person's innate, unchanging core values and natural modes of contribution. Unlike traditional personality or behavior tests, the CVI measures what a person is rather than how they act. Its application in the hiring process is proving beneficial not only for employers seeking ideal candidates but also for workers aiming for fulfilling roles aligned with their authentic selves.

Understanding the Core Values Index

Developed by Lynn Ellsworth Taylor, the CVI is grounded in four core value energies: Builder, Merchant, Innovator, and Banker. Each person possesses a unique combination of these energies, which determine how they perceive the world, make decisions, solve problems, and contribute to organizations.

• Builders are driven to take action, produce results, and create structure.
• Merchants value relationships, vision, and persuasion.
• Innovators are idea-driven, analytical, and excellent at problem-solving.
• Bankers value knowledge, accuracy, and planning.

By identifying which of these values dominate a candidate's profile, the CVI provides a clear map of how they will most naturally and effectively perform in a role.

Benefits to Employers

1. Improved Job Fit and Performance

Hiring a candidate whose CVI profile aligns with the core demands of a role increases the likelihood of strong performance and satisfaction. For instance, a high-Builder individual may thrive in a fast-paced leadership position, while a high-Banker may excel in data analysis or financial roles.

The CVI helps employers go beyond resumes and interviews to understand how a person is wired to succeed.

2. Reduced Turnover

Poor job fit is a leading cause of employee turnover. When individuals are placed in roles that clash with their core value energies, dissatisfaction and disengagement follow.

The CVI helps employers match candidates with roles where their innate strengths are utilized, significantly reducing the risk of turnover and the associated costs of rehiring and retraining.

3. Enhanced Team Dynamics

Understanding the CVI profiles of team members allows managers to build complementary teams. For example, pairing a visionary Merchant with a detail-focused Banker can create a powerful balance of innovation and precision.

The CVI facilitates deeper insights into interpersonal dynamics, improving collaboration and communication within teams.

4. Efficient Hiring Process

By incorporating the CVI early in the recruitment process, employers can quickly identify candidates who are not only qualified but also aligned with the company's culture and the specific role. This streamlines decision-making and minimizes time spent on evaluating mismatched applicants.

Benefits to Workers

1. Self-Awareness and Career Alignment

Taking the CVI helps individuals understand their core motivations and strengths. This insight empowers candidates to pursue roles and career paths that resonate with their natural inclinations, leading to greater engagement and long-term satisfaction.

2. Greater Job Satisfaction

When workers are in roles that honor their core values, they tend to feel more fulfilled, confident, and productive. They are more likely to experience flow states at work—moments of deep focus and satisfaction that come from doing what they're inherently good at.

3. Improved Communication and Relationships

Workers can recognize their own communication preferences and understand the diverse styles of others, reducing misunderstandings and fostering mutual respect.

Understanding one's CVI profile can enhance communication with colleagues and supervisors.

4. Opportunities for Growth

With a clear understanding of their core value energies, workers can more easily identify areas for personal development and stretch assignments that build on their strengths. They can also advocate for responsibilities or projects that align more closely with what energizes them.

Workers AND Employers Benefit from the CVI

The true power of the CVI lies in its capacity to align talent with purpose.

For employers, this means hiring people who are not only capable but passionate and engaged. For workers, it means finding roles where they can thrive naturally, without the strain of pretending to be something they're not.

Organizations that adopt the CVI as part of their hiring and talent development strategy often report improved morale, stronger performance, and lower attrition. At the same time, workers experience higher levels of job satisfaction, engagement, and a sense of belonging.

The CVI for the Win

In a world where talent is a key differentiator, the Core Values Index offers a meaningful way to bridge the gap between organizational needs and individual potential. By embracing the CVI in the hiring process, companies and candidates alike can move beyond superficial qualifications and discover a deeper, values-based fit. The result is not just better hires—it's a more empowered, motivated, and harmonious workplace.

Core Values Index™ and CVI™ are trademarks of Taylor Protocols, Inc.