How to form a Mission Statement?

Forming a Mission Statement and Its Importance

I. Understanding Mission Statements

1. Definition of a Mission Statement: A mission statement is a concise and clear declaration that outlines the purpose, goals, and values of an organization or a project. It serves as a guide for decision-making and provides direction for the organization’s activities.
   
   
2. Components of a Mission Statement: A well-crafted mission statement typically includes the organization’s core purpose, its primary target audience, the value it aims to provide, and the unique qualities that differentiate it from competitors.
   
   
3. Key Characteristics of a Strong Mission Statement: A strong mission statement is memorable, concise, specific, realistic, and aligned with the organization’s values and objectives.
   
   

II. Importance of a Mission Statement

1. Guides Decision-Making: A mission statement serves as a compass, guiding the organization’s decisions and actions. It helps stakeholders stay focused on the organization’s core purpose and avoid distractions or deviations from the intended path.
   
   
2. Provides Clarity and Direction: A well-defined mission statement clarifies the organization’s purpose, goals, and values. It helps employees understand their roles and responsibilities and align their efforts towards achieving the organization’s objectives.
   
   
3. Defines Organizational Identity: A mission statement defines the unique identity of an organization. It communicates to stakeholders, including customers, employees, and partners, what the organization stands for and what it aims to achieve.
   
   
4. Differentiates from Competitors: A mission statement can set an organization apart from its competitors by highlighting its unique qualities, values, and offerings. It helps create a distinctive brand identity and a competitive advantage in the market.
   
   
5. Attracts and Engages Stakeholders: A compelling mission statement resonates with stakeholders, including employees, customers, investors, and partners. It attracts individuals who share the organization’s vision and values, fostering a sense of purpose and commitment.
   
   
6. Elevates Internal Culture: A well-communicated mission statement can inspire and motivate employees, creating a positive and cohesive organizational culture. It provides a sense of meaning and unity among team members and promotes a shared understanding of the organization’s goals.
   
   
7. Serves as a Communication Tool: A mission statement acts as a communication tool for external audiences, such as customers, investors, and the public. It conveys the organization’s purpose and value proposition, enhancing its reputation and building trust.
   
   

III. Forming an Effective Mission Statement

1. Brainstorming and Collaborative Process: Forming a mission statement should involve input from various stakeholders, including senior leaders, employees, and even customers. Engage in brainstorming sessions and collaborative discussions to gather insights and perspectives.
   
   
2. Clarify Core Purpose and Values: Identify the organization’s core purpose and values. What is the reason for its existence? What principles and beliefs guide its actions and decisions? These should be reflected in the mission statement.
   
   
3. Define Target Audience and Value Proposition: Understand the primary target audience and the specific value the organization aims to provide to that audience. Consider what makes the organization unique and how it stands out from competitors.
   
   
4. Keep it Concise and Memorable: Craft a mission statement that is concise and easy to remember. Avoid using jargon or overly complex language. Aim for clarity and simplicity.
   
   
5. Review and Refine: Once a draft mission statement is created, review it with key stakeholders and seek their feedback. Refine and iterate the statement based on the input received to ensure it accurately represents the organization’s purpose and goals.
   

Golden Circle Theory of Mission Statement

The Golden Circle theory is a concept developed by Simon Sinek, a motivational speaker and marketing consultant. He introduced this theory in his popular TED Talk, “How Great Leaders Inspire Action”. According to Sinek, most organizations communicate from the outside in, starting with the ‘what’, then the ‘how’, and lastly the ‘why’. However, the most inspiring and successful organizations communicate the other way around – from the inside out, starting with the ‘why’.

Here’s a breakdown of the Golden Circle:

1. Why: This is the core belief of the business. It’s why the business exists. According to Sinek, ‘why’ is where companies can connect with customers on an emotional level.
   
2. How: This is how the business fulfills that core belief. It’s the actions taken to realize the ‘why’.
   
3. What: This is what the company does to fulfill that core belief. It’s the products or services a company sells.
   

To apply the Golden Circle theory to a mission statement, start with the purpose (why), then explain the strategy (how), and finally describe the product or service (what). This approach can help clarify your organization’s mission and inspire others to support it.

For example, Apple’s mission statement aligns with the Golden Circle theory:

• Why: “We believe in challenging the status quo and thinking differently.”
• How: “We do this by making our products beautifully designed and simple to use.”
• What: “We just happen to make great computers.”

This mission statement clearly communicates Apple’s core belief (challenging the status quo), how they fulfill that belief (with beautifully designed, easy-to-use products), and what they do (make computers).

So, when crafting a mission statement, the Golden Circle theory encourages you to start with your ‘why’ to inspire action and foster a deeper connection with your audience.

Examples of Mission Statements by Brands

Here are ten examples of great mission statements from various brands:

1. Coca-Cola: “To refresh the world…To inspire moments of optimism and happiness…To create value and make a difference.”
   
2. Life Is Good: “To spread the power of optimism.”
   
3. Apple: “To bring the best user experience to its customers through its innovative hardware, software, and services.”
   
4. Google: “To organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.”
   
5. Tesla: “To accelerate the advent of sustainable transport by bringing compelling mass market electric cars to market as soon as possible.”
   
6. Starbucks: “To inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time.”
   
7. The Honest Company: “Meaningful transparency and thoughtful design. We’re on a mission to change the world, one product at a time.”
   
8. Disney: “To entertain, inform and inspire people around the globe through the power of unparalleled storytelling.”
   
9. Microsoft: “To empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.”
   
10. Harley-Davidson: “We fulfill dreams of personal freedom – it’s our purpose, and we take it seriously.”
    

Forming a mission statement is crucial for organizations as it provides clarity, guides decision-making, defines the organizational identity, and differentiates from competitors. It serves as a communication tool and attracts stakeholders while elevating the internal culture. By following a collaborative process and clarifying core purpose, values, target audience, and value proposition, organizations can create an effective mission statement that aligns with their goals and values.