5 Signs Your Mission Is Taking Root

You’ve decided on a mission statement. It brings clarity, purpose and gives the work to be done purpose and beauty.

It’s been 90 days since you rolled it out. The mission statement is part of the staff meetings, one-on-ones, and being discussed as projects are introduced. As the leader, you start wondering — is it working? Is the mission having any impact on the organization?

Here are a few signs that the mission is starting to take root within your company.

1. Passion Grows

First, you’ll see passion grow. The team members who embrace the mission and apply it to their work will have an increased passion. They tackle problems that are a hurdle to achieving the mission. You’ll see a pride in how they do their work.

To know if the mission is at work, watch for passion.

2. The Wrong People Grow Uncomfortable

Second, others will grow uncomfortable and reveal they don’t fit. I can’t express how important this is. The mission will expose that some team members do not belong.

Some team members simply want a paycheck; they don’t want a purpose. When you begin to see this, take swift action. The longer you keep “paycheck workforce” on the payroll, the slower you’ll reach your goals and the lower the quality the product will be that is produced.

Also, the mission becomes an ethic. It defines how we interact with each other as co-workers. If a team member can’t operate under the mission with integrity, then they don’t belong on the team. Don’t sacrifice the mission to make room for a team member who is unwilling to respect it.

3. Quality Increases

Third, quality increases. The quality of the work being created will rise in value. Design work will improve. Customer interactions will become more intentional. Proposals will have greater focus. Client satisfaction will start to rise.

Mission focus naturally leads to increased quality.

4. A Desire to Win

Fourth, a desire to win. When a team takes ownership of the mission, they believe their work has value and depth. A belief in the value and depth of work gives birth to a desire to win.

If you believe your work has importance and makes a difference, then don’t you want what you do to impact as many lives as possible? That’s why the mission leads to a desire to win. People will want to improve what they can produce so they can put more points on the board.

Focus on the mission and you’ll rack up more wins.

5. They Want to Make a Difference

Finally, they want to make a difference. Most individuals do not want to work a mindless job. (Remember, those who do… keep them as far away from your company as you can.)

People want to make a difference, and since our work takes up a third of our day — if not more — it becomes important to know why we do what we do. A mission gives purpose. It allows the team to embrace that they’re making a difference.

Encourage that by telling stories and sharing testimonials of how the work has impacted others. Let the team know that what they do makes a difference, and when you do, they’ll understand how they’re fulfilling the mission.

That’s how you’ll know the mission is at work.

Intersecting life, luxury and leadership,
Chris

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