Mission & Vision Statements

Before jumping on the mission and vision statement-crafting bandwagon, know the difference.

Your mission is your purpose—why you show up to work every day. Your vision is what you hope showing up to work and doing the job to the best of your abilities will one day lead to.

 Vision Statement:

• Answers the question, “What do you intend to become?”
• Is succinct and inspirational.
• Defines what you can be in the future and what you want to achieve over time.
• Guides and informs your short and long-range goals (three, five, or more years).
• Serves as a “north star” for every member of your team.

Mission Statement:

• Defines your present identity and/or purpose.
• Answers three questions about why you exist:
  • What do you do?
  • Who do you do it for?
  • How do you do what you?
• Addresses the immediate/shorter timeframe (one to three years).
• Can be articulated by every team member.

Crafting mission and vision is a process driven by an exercise. DO NOT sit down to write either of the two. Instead, invest in the process. Embark on the exercise. Follow. Don’t lead. You administering your own mission and vision exercise is a akin to leading your own psycho therapy session.