University For Life » Mission Statements

Dear Reader,

I hope that this year will be a year full of good fortune and success for you in all respects!

Over the past few months, I have been teaching the importance of Mission Statements, Values and Branding to London inner city teenagers studying Business. No doubt you are aware of these terms in application to business. However, I find it much more interesting to consider how Mission Statements, Values and Branding apply to us as individuals.

What is your personal Mission Statement this year? What is your purpose? What do you hope to achieve? What makes you smile when you wake up? Your Mission Statement (if it is a useful one) must make you smile and jump out of bed with a spring in your heel. Modify your Mission Statement until it makes you smile.

What are your Values? What makes you happy and energises you? What causes you unhappiness and drains you? As Herzberg (1959) explained, these are not merely opposites. For example, injustice in the workplace causes me unhappiness and distress whereas justice in the workplace does not make me happy ( as it is merely what is expected ). Having good friends at work makes me happy whereas not socialising with colleagues does not cause me unhappiness (per se). It is important to be clear about our values as this understanding enables us to identify, avoid or resolve the conflict when our internal values are at odds with our external environment.

What is your Brand? What are you known for? What do people associate with you? What are the 3 words that come to mind when you see yourself in the eyes of your boss; your colleagues; the people you wish to impress?

Sometimes your Brand is directly related to what you STAND for. What do you stand for?

To illustrate this point, I recall a TV programme this week called International Dragon’s Den which introduced a Nigerian entrepreneur who had accounted for bribery in his financial costing. The investors applauded the honesty of this man but were unwilling to invest in his business as they all wanted to take a STAND against perpetuation of bribery and corruption in Nigerian business. They said that if business people did not take a stand for positive change, the corrupt system would continue unaltered.

Taking a stand for even a very small change can have a powerful impact on the system; the environment we find ourselves in, when there is integrity between what we are thinking, feeling, saying and doing. What are you willing to take a stand for to create a better environment for yourself and others?

Starting the new year with clarity and deep awareness of a personal Mission Statement that makes you smile; Values that drive you towards fulfillment of your dreams; Branding that gives you a reputation to be proud of; and the initiative to take a stand for something you believe in, will shape your life and enrich the quality of your lifestyle this year, I am sure,

If you live in London and would like to support our work with inner city teenagers, please e-mail me for an invitation to attend our next Advisory Board Meeting on Wednesday 28 January from 5:30pm to 7pm. This meeting will be chaired by the Principal of Hammersmith College and will be attended by local business people with a vested interest in influencing the minds of the next generation of employees/entrepreneurs. You may be able to assist by mentoring a student, giving a talk based on your work/business expertise or simply by networking. Please e-mail me to express your interest.

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