The Crucial Role of Personal Values on Wellbeing and Resilience in the Software Industry

Personal values play a pivotal role in shaping individuals’ behaviors and decisions. In the software industry, understanding these values along with the emotional well-being and resilience of professionals, is crucial for elevating employee satisfaction and improving project outcomes. This research aimed to determine how alignment with personal values in both professional and personal life influences an individual’s resilience and well-being in the software industry. Utilizing three validated scales - Job-related Affective Well-being Scale, Employee Resilience Scale, and Portrait Values Questionnaire, we analyzed data from 72 participants across 8 countries and conducted follow-up interviews with 5 software practitioners. Our findings highlight that well-being is a primary driver of resilience and software engineers’ resilience is further amplified by three personal values: security, power, and conformity. Recognizing the significance of personal values in enhancing employee resilience, we provide actionable recommendations to foster a work environment in harmony with core personal values of employees.