Are Mission and Purpose the Same Thing?

The misconception is that MISSION and purpose are the same thing.

The misconception is that VISION and MISSION are both long-term things

The misconception is that STRATEGY is driven by metrics

The misconception is that CULTURE eats STRATEGY

Let's address these misconceptions...

MISSION EVOLVES YOUR BUSINESS (AND YOU)

– Something to become.

We've been told that “culture eats strategy for breakfast” for decades. And it's true...if you do strategy the way we've always done strategy.

However, I would challenge that it doesn't have to be that way!

What if strategy was protected by culture. The way we look at strategy or strategic planning, which you could call our philosophy, is very simple. It is about evolving your business towards the vision.

Therefore, strategy must not only align with vision, but it should be guided by a MISSION (approx. every 3-years).  Your MISSION is to become the business that will start to create the world you see. It is then guided by values and driven by purpose. You are basically wrapping your cultural arms around the strategy like an invincible shield. After all, a mother or father will do anything to protect their baby.

As we have alluded to in previous workbooks, too many strategies are built on how we can make money. Instead, strategy is all about the MISSION.

Financing and/or funding the mission is all a part of it; they are critical objectives within the strategy, but not outputs, not the end game. The fundamentals of strategy are to develop ongoing plans that must be accomplished to allow your business to become what it needs to BE (Mission), to create the world you see (Vision). That is, the business that remains relevant in the hearts and minds of the people you choose to serve.

“Strategic planning is worthless -- unless there is first a strategic vision.”

– John Naisbitt

Your vision of your world you want to create could be ten, twenty, or thirty years into the future. Your journey to becoming the business or organization to bring that world into reality will be an ongoing one, an evolving one. The more you build the organization you need to become (MISSION), the closer to that world you will get. Therefore, it makes sense to make sure your strategies continue to be aligned not to, but from mission.

“What is the aim or purpose of strategy? To improve our ability to shape and adapt to unfolding circumstances, so that we…can survive on our own terms.”

– John R. Boyd, USAF

However, in our uncertain world, asking people to plan or believe in a strategy for the next ten to twenty years will have their heads spinning and seem unrealistic to them. This is why we look at MISSION in 3-year horizons at a time.

With each evolution, you move closer to bringing your vision into reality. It’s about who your business needs to become to start to create the world you see,  your vision! This is why #MISSIONEVOLVES.

“Leadership is an art. Management is a science. Strategy is the art of the leader. Tactics are the science of management.”

– a Clarism