Mindful Mission and Values
The organization’s core identity and direction should be at the front of every leader’s mind. If you are a leader and you haven’t attended to these constructs for a span, as a mindfulness exercise, slow down and evaluate whether or not your strategic framework needs to be refined at this stage in your company's development. Review your company’s vision, mission, and values with your leadership team. Discuss areas where your mission statement and company values directly align with current strategies and deliverables.
Vision Statement (the "why"): A vision statement broadly describes what the organization will evolve into under the right guidance. Example: "To be the most influential force in creating a world where everyone has access to clean water."
Mission Statement (the "what"): A strong mission statement defines the company’s core goals and differentiates the company from competitors by describing what it does and who it serves. Example: "To provide innovative and affordable water filtration systems to communities in developing nations."
Values Statement (the "how"): A great values statement provides a compass for employee behavior by illustrating how the company operates. Example: Integrity: We act ethically and transparently in all our operations. Sustainability: We are committed to minimizing our environmental impact. Collaboration: We team up with communities and partners to achieve our goals."
Explore the core valued behaviors that link well with short and long term goals and assess those that might tie in more loosely. Catch and address habits that are antithetical to your values statement. Are you collecting behavioral data that exemplify company values? If not, decide what you should start measuring and how. Finally, decide if there are action items and initiatives in line with the mission that need attention. Remember that in order for vision, mission, and values statements to have maximum impact, they need to be integrated into the fabric of your organization.