Mission Statements and Values are only worth having if the organization's leaders act in ways that support them. It's not enough to talk about them. Actions speak louder than any words on a website or in an employee handbook.
But it's hard to be consistent with our actions. We're human. Living up to our ideals can be tough.
And yet, we want to be held to high standards because that's where our sense of accomplishment and pride comes from. We don't want to let ourselves down, most of all.
Mission & Values work is most impactful when initiated by the leaders in an organization AND those leaders involve employees in the process.
Two ways Mission & Values work can fall apart:
When a leader develops a Mission Statement & Values in a vacuum and fails to involve employees.
When employees develop a Mission Statement & Values without involving leadership.
I've done this work several times throughout my career. Each time it happens, an inspiring and energizing framework emerges. A new-found energy takes hold because there's a roadmap for the future that's clear for all.
A bonus outcome of this work is this: the shared experience of crafting a Mission Statement and set of Values is transformative for teams.
It's a bonding moment, a time for voices to be heard and buy-in to be secured...a galvanizing moment that can spark new energy and create forward momentum.
And, it doesn't stop there. For this framework to have the desired impact, these Mission & Values need to be woven throughout the business.
Mission & Values can guide your most important decisions, such as how and who you hire, how employees' performance is measured and managed, and most of all, the culture must reflect these principles, i.e., how decisions are made and how people are treated.
Get clear on the change that you're here to make by getting clear on your Mission & Values.
But don't bother doing the work if your actions can't match your words. The true power of this work is when you can be about it, not just talk about it.
That's one of the secret sauce recipes for success and because it's hard to do, it can set you apart from the competition.
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