Mission Statement is a Verb (or should be)

Originally publish on my linkedin page:

What is your Mission Statement?

Is it a couple sentences that you struggled over to put at the top of your business plan? Is it some trendy words you use to try to sell to prospective investors and clients?

If so, you're missing out on one of the most important tools you have as a business owner.

Your Mission represents the glow of the far-off port you are sailing your business to - your true North. It is your singular sanity check and guidance on your daily activities. And, it stands as the foundation against which you need to measure all business actions.

Ask yourself - "Have my activities in the last hour been an expression of my Mission Statement?"  Or, have you spent the last hour mired in tasks that move you away from your vision.

If you've lost your Mission Statement or left it behind after you've landed your funding or that big client - dig it out. Re-read it. You should read it before - and after - that "big meeting".

Does it still represent your vision for your company? If not, work on it until it does.

Does it represent your primary differentiator in your industry? If not, work on it until it does.

Does your Mission Statement get you out of bed in the morning? Does it perfectly articulate all the energy that you have for your business? If not, work on it until it does.

Then use it, every day, to define every action you put on your calendar.

If you don't have a clear mission and you aren't expressing it in every action, what are you doing? A whole lot of meaningless tasks, perhaps.

Re-read your Mission Statement. Does it still represent your highest business aspirations?

Now, use it to give your daily activities energy and purpose.

Use your Values to Create a Vacuum

Knowing how to express your values through every business act should be one of your highest priorities. Make a list of your values and look at it. Every day. 

The first value on your list is gratitude. The second is generosity. This is how to build a graceful business.

Money is not a value. It's the results of having and acting upon strong values. Money flows in as your moral strength flows out. 

The conservation of energy suggests if you are sending positive energy out into the universe, you create a vacuum that needs to be filled by energy flowing in. 

Be so generous and gracious that you create a vacuum of greatness around you. Then feel it flow back in, and then share it. 

Lead by Being Present

Either be present or be busy, but don't pretend to be both.

I don't know how many times I have been in a meeting - where real work was actually being done - and the CEO or another member of senior management walked in and said "I'm just here to listen". Then that leader went on to look down at their phone and answer email the whole time.

As a manager, you can't do both - you can't be in the meeting and be busy on your phone or tablet at the same time. Not only is your presence unusual that causes people to clam up, but you're a distraction and getting in the way of any work that could be happening.

So, if you're a leader - lead through example. Be present while you are leading.

Notice points in your day where you don't. Notice when you pretend to be present when you're actually busy. Notice when you're acting busy when you're actually bored.

You'll actually get more work done, if you work when you have work to do. And, remember people expect you to be present to hear them, when you say you want to listen.