The importance of vision and mission

Vision and mission are often created because everyone thinks they should be in your strategic plan. Well-formulated and followed they can guide the organization to achieve higher goals.

A well-formulated vision and mission are written for your organization. Not some generic version you found on the internet. They speak to your organization's dreams and core abilities. They are realistic but also a stretch.

A vision describes the organization in the future. Who you want to become. It's like your "north star" guiding you through changing external environments and internal struggles. It is inspirational and energizing. It can have dream-like qualities.

A mission statement is more pragmatic than a vision. A mission answers three questions: 1. Why you exist as an organization - the societal need you fill, 2. Who do you serve, and 3. What products or services you provide.

Answer the questions and string them together for a draft mission. This helps leaders and staff make difficult decisions when they arise. And they will!

Following your vision and mission means that they drive choices in the organization. That leaders and staff are maniacs about chasing them. 

Vision and mission supply direction, integration and cohesion. A shared direction that everyone follows with energy, commitment and resources. Integration between the units so that we are all pulling together - and there's no infighting! And cohesion so that we stick together when making decisions, whether big or small.  

The main reasons for having a vision and mission are:

1. They define the purpose and direction of the organization for staff, stakeholders and customers.
2. They give guidelines for making choices.
3. They help align resources in the appropriate direction.
4. They ensure everyone is working together and therefore, increases efficiencies and productivity.
5. They make the strategic planning and execution phases easier because you are given boundaries within which to plan and act.

Your vision and mission and much more than words. They can guide your people to work together to reach goals they never thought possible.

I love working with clients to develop a vision and mission that fits their goals for the future. Want to talk? ValerieMacLeod@HainesCentre.com 

For more blog posts on vision and mission read: Vision and Action or 6 Rules for Great Visions