Men and Women on a Mission Change the World!

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A mission statement is the expression of purpose for yourself or your venture.  It exudes your culture and your vision.  It has to be real- not seeped in platitudes- because it will be the “Ten Commandments”, the ICON for you or your company (this applies to non-profits, as well).  And, just because you wrote the perfect mission statement a decade ago does not mean it is perfect now.  Things change- your vision changes- and culture evolves.  You should examine it and revise it to insure your mission statement reflects your vision and guides your actions.

A mission statement should inspire, yet be specific and plausible.  It should express the key theme for you or your venture.  It must be short- not an essay.  If it takes you more than two or three sentences to reach your point, hone your message.   Your mission should almost serve as a slogan.  It’s why you are you.  Your mission can be short term or long-term in focus.  The only reason against choosing a short term mission is that it will need to be revised often- but for a start-up, it probably is the perfect choice.

If yours is an existing enterprise,  you should discuss your mission with key stakeholders in your venture (like employees or customers) to insure that it is credible to them.  (This poses a critical step when a change in vision is the reason for the new mission statement.) A leader cannot dictate a change in culture- driving a change in culture is an arduous task.  You need to build the desire to change within your key players.  You need to listen and share stories that express those values.  Moreover, those values have to be lived- and not talked about.  (“Walk the walk” beats “talk the talk” any second of the day!)  And, most importantly, your recognition/compensation system must reflect the mission statement and reward actions that are in concert with it.

Your mission statement will reflect the changes in culture as you or your venture mature and grow.  If you doubt it, consider what your personal mission statement was when you were three, thirteen, and thirty.  The world changes, our needs change, and our mission statement helps guide us through all those events.  Make sure your mission statement remains your “guiding light”.Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A.

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13 thoughts on “Men and Women on a Mission Change the World!”

  1. This is a great summary and expression of what a good mission statement should be Roy. I really appreciate one of your very first points is that it must be real and that it changes over time. These are vital points that I think are often lost when businesses are writing them.
    This post is an excellent place for people to start and read once again afterwards to see if their mission statement fulfills it’s purpose!

    1. Bonnie- thanks for your comment. Folks seem to think that doing something once and that’s it. I ask them- do you make just ONE sale? Do you never change your sales pitch? Of course not.
      Roy

  2. Mission statements are often those cute sayings that companys hang on the wall, and never think about again. A true mission statement can be seen in everything the company does.

    1. You betcha, Phillips30!!!
      That is among my biggest b…..es. Window dressing statements. It’s what we do- each and every day- that speaks volumes!
      Thanks for dropping in and rendering the concept crystal clear!!!!
      Roy

  3. THE COMMENT TO WHICH THIS REFERS HAS BEEN DELETED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS REPLY WAS GENERATED.
    I have no clue why you would think this comment to the discussion. You are entitled to your opinion- be it wrong, right, or indifferent. But, since the topic was mission statements, your comments are simply inappropriate.

  4. I agree what you post in here Sir Roy, every women and men have their own mission to change the world by making honest to other poeple and help them if they have any problems..
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