Understanding the Core Values Index
The Core Values Index (CVI) is the only assessment that measures the real, unchanging nature of a person. It is the first tool to accurately measure the core values that are built into who you truly are.
Abraham Maslow called this inner self the “unchanging real self.” It contains your natural ways of thinking, feeling, making decisions, and connecting with others. He believed this inner nature stays the same from childhood until death. Maslow’s key insight was that this real you determines where you fit best in the world.
97.7% Repeat Reliability: The Gold Standard
At Taylor Protocols, we have learned that this inner nature truly does not change. We have done many test/retest studies and typically see 94% or higher repeat reliability. This high level of consistency is only possible if the assessment is accurate and if it measures something that is very stable.
The CVI achieves higher reliability than other assessments because it focuses on your unchanging core values rather than personality traits or behaviors that can shift over time. This remarkable consistency proves we are measuring something fundamentally stable—your unchanging core nature.
What Makes You, You
We have shown that the combination of who you are (your unchanging inner self) and what you are (your personality, skills, and talents) determines where you will find work that is fully engaging and fulfilling. This is work that puts you in the flow—where time flies and effort feels natural.
This leads to working with purpose, being fully engaged, and using your most important talents and skills. This kind of work puts your greatest learning to use. And in doing this work, you continue to learn important lessons about who you are.
The Four Core Values
The CVI measures four fundamental core values that exist in everyone in different amounts:
Builder
Primary Value: Power
Catalytic Value: Faith
A Builder’s primary core value is Power. Power is personal energy used to make a positive difference. Builders contribute by being effective and achieving results. They use direct speech and focus on the bottom line. They look for quick, simple approaches that let them decide, move forward, and lead others into action.
Merchant
Primary Value: Love
Catalytic Value: Truth
The Merchant’s core value is Love. Love means working toward an inspired vision of what can be, while nurturing the best in yourself and others. This includes connecting with people, but also feeling connected to the world around you.
Innovator
Primary Value: Wisdom
Catalytic Value: Compassion
The Innovator’s core value is Wisdom—seeing the way things are and knowing what to do about it. Wisdom is the deep quality that allows a person to make good choices. It is the ability to weigh options, benefits, and consequences.
Banker
Primary Value: Knowledge
Catalytic Value: Justice
The Banker’s core value is Knowledge—knowing the facts through research, measurement, proof, and records. Knowledge is the awareness of facts, data, information, systems, verified truth, and principles. Knowledge drives Bankers to make every decision, judgment, and action.
Why the CVI Matters for Your Career
What you don’t know about yourself controls your life. If you don’t know who you are at the deepest level, you cannot fully understand how you operate, what motivates you, what work engages you, or what your highest contribution should be.
Self-knowledge is the foundation of leadership, top performance, and high contribution. If you don’t know and understand the ineffective ways you handle people and situations, and if you aren’t willing to change the attitudes and beliefs behind those behaviors, you cannot grow into your full potential.
How the CVI Works
The CVI assessment takes about 10 minutes to complete. You respond to a series of word pairs, selecting which words resonate most strongly with you. Unlike personality tests that measure behavior (which can change based on circumstances), the CVI measures your unchanging core nature.
Your results show scores for each of the four core values: Builder, Merchant, Innovator, and Banker. Your highest score shows your primary core value—the main force that drives your decisions, motivations, and contributions. Your second-highest score reveals your secondary value, creating a unique combination that defines how you contribute.
The Science Behind the CVI
The CVI was developed by Lynn Ellsworth Taylor, drawing on his experience building speech recognition systems for personal computers. This real-world engineering foundation—focused on precise pattern recognition—provides scientific rigor that, for the first time, allows companies to objectively screen job candidates at the very start of the hiring process.
This dramatically reduces hiring costs and shifts the performance curve toward higher productivity and personal satisfaction, while delivering greater profits to businesses.
Discover Your Core Values
Ready to understand your unchanging nature? Take the Core Values Index and receive your comprehensive 17-page report with personalized insights about your unique contribution style.