| Companies have a mission (statement) and this | | | | But in general a vision is what you foresee. What |
| mission is derived from a vision about the near | | | | is a likely scenario to happen? |
| future and the role of the company in it. | | | | In the biography of a manager a vision will change |
| A possible definition of a mission could be: a short | | | | according to the stage of life. When you are still |
| statement on purpose and or intention of the | | | | at school you will see a lot of possibilities. "I want |
| company which serves for employees and | | | | to become a pilot," you may think... But when you |
| possible partners to communicate its objectives | | | | are eighteen, do you already think about |
| and its (critical) success-factors. This helps to | | | | becoming a manager? |
| communicate expectations and identify what to | | | | Someone with many years of experience in |
| emphasize or to potential. | | | | consulting may envision that the consulting market |
| A mission statement offers a mechanism to | | | | will change. The do-it-yourself concept that has |
| conduct employees because it explains the | | | | been developed in other areas may also arrive in |
| reasons to be there. If employees do not fit in | | | | the consulting business: the consultant will than |
| the mission to accomplish they should stay with | | | | have to change from implementer to coach. |
| the company. On the other hand, if the mission | | | | Your mission as a consultant could than be to |
| doesn't take into account the employee-base, if it | | | | become a coach or to write self-help-books on |
| doesn't represent the people who work for the | | | | consulting. If you are more eager to be in close |
| company the whole thing will lead to a mission | | | | contacts with clients in a face-to-face manner you |
| impossible. | | | | would opt for the first otherwise for the second |
| One of the disadvantages of a mission statement | | | | mission. |
| is that it must be maintained, which is not often | | | | Stephen Covey about a personal mission |
| done. The world changes more often and swiftly | | | | statement (1): |
| than organizations adapt to it. A meaningless | | | | A personal mission statement is based on habit 2 |
| mission is more harmful than a lacking mission | | | | of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People called begin |
| statement. The fundament of a mission is what | | | | with the end in mind.... the most effective way ... is |
| people see: the vision. And this may be another | | | | to develop a mission statement one that focuses |
| pitfall, most of all to align one management team | | | | what you want to be in terms of character and |
| and to come up with one vision. Yet without it, it | | | | what you want to do in reference to contribution |
| is not possible to lead a business. | | | | of achievements. Writing a mission statement can |
| Entrepreneurs will also have a certain vision and | | | | be the most important activity an individual can |
| will start "a mission" to accomplish their goals. | | | | take to truly lead ones life....you may call it a |
| Whether they communicate this mission or not is | | | | credo, a philosophy, you may call it a purpose |
| not interesting. The single entrepreneur won't | | | | statement. |
| need to do so as long as there is no team to | | | | One should not forget one characteristic of the |
| communicate the mission. | | | | mission statement and that is its main enemy: the |
| Will individuals have a mission like companies have | | | | opportunity. |
| and is this mission also based on a certain vision | | | | The whole idea of a mission statement is that |
| of what they foresee? | | | | you are concentrated on what you are good at |
| About your personal "business." The personal | | | | and you are focused on a certain goal. The pitfall |
| mission statement based on your personal vision | | | | is that the world is rapidly changing and |
| can help to give your life more sense of direction | | | | concentration on your own goals may turn you |
| and meaning. | | | | blind for what is happening in the world. |
| Both mission and vision are than important. | | | | When elaborating a mission statement do not |
| The vision is about what you see. You must | | | | forget the original religious meaning of a mission. |
| understand that every person sees the world | | | | An actualized vision is to my opinion the most |
| through his own lens or filter and will focus on | | | | important. It is the bases for a possible mission... |
| what he wants (to see). This personal bias is | | | | And do not forget the opportunities in life. |
| makes is sometimes difficult to distinguish | | | | H.J.B. |
| between the mission and a vision. | | | | |