🚀 Do you know your Mission & Vision?
The foundation for a strong team culture
Hey there 👋🏼
Today I want to share with you my view on the importance of a team's mission and vision.
I spoke to a friend the other day who leads a couple of teams that hold critical services of their platform. These are essential services under their governance.
We discussed what the teams were doing and why they were doing what they were doing. So I asked the obvious question: "What's your team's mission?"
His face of confusion was priceless.
From "hmms..." to "well, you know", he finished it off with an amazing "ah hell, you know, we make sh*t work!".
Even though "I make sh*t work" makes a pretty badass headline on LinkedIn, it doesn't scale from the individual to the team.
The question is, how can we motivate a team and have them push in the right direction?
Having a clear definition of mission and vision does the work for me.
Let's break it down:
Team Vision
Future
Aspirational
What you hope to achieve in the future
Purpose of the team and what they aspire to be
The ultimate goals of the team
Team Mission
Present
How the team fulfils the vision
What the team is doing right now
The objectives of the group.
Here are some examples of tech companies' missions and visions:
Tesla
Mission statement: To create the most compelling car company of the 21st century by driving the world's transition to electric vehicles.
Vision statement: To accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy.
Ikea
Mission statement: Offer a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them.
Vision statement: To create a better everyday life for many people.
TED
Mission statement: Spread ideas.
Vision statement: We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and, ultimately, the world.
Amazon
Mission statement: We strive to offer our customers the lowest possible prices, the best available selection, and the utmost convenience.
Vision statement: To be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online.
How to define the mission and vision of the team
A clear definition of the team's mission and vision are crucial and answer the critical question: "why are we here?"
How to create your mission statement?
Answer the following questions:
What your team offers to your customers
Who is your team serving
How your team stands out
Adjust the answers into one coherent sentence. Play with the wording until it resonates with you.
Ask for feedback from your team. Refine, and ask for more feedback. Loop it.
How to create the vision for your team?
Don't do it alone. Involve your team
Start by figuring out why your service matters. What difference your team truly makes?
What do you consider a victory to be in 5/10 years?
With a strong foundation, work the words until they fulfil why what you matter produces and how you'll know if you're successful.
Make sure every single team you lead has its mission and vision clear.
You’ll see teamwork improve and individual commitment grow as they all fight for the same objective. Culture is key, and this is a crucial step to achieving a strong culture.
Mental Health Awareness
This week, on October 10th, was World Mental Health Day.
Singling out a day for such a big topic doesn't make it justice, but raising awareness is essential.
Mental Health needs to be a top priority for leaders and teams daily.
I've seen leaders trying to handle the situation many times without being equipped for it. That is a massive mistake. Understand within your company the tools you have at your disposal to help yourself or your team members.
Make it a priority to help.
Well, that's it from me. I hope you have a fantastic weekend and that this issue helps you motivate your team in a single direction.
⏱ TL;DR
The mission and vision of a team are fundamental to getting your team aligned with what’s important.
Mission: focuses on the present, your objectives, and what you are doing now.
Vision: focuses on the future, your ambitions and what your team aspires to achieve.
Do the exercise with your team and see their involvement go through the roof.
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Have an incredible week! 💪🏼
Parada 👊🏼 A Leader's Mindset