Businesses have mission statements meant to provide guidance—
though sometimes they exist more for marketing than substance.
The same is true for nonprofits, but it was with an esteemed organization that I fully grasped the power of keeping the mission at the forefront.
During a heated agency board debate, I was surprised when someone read the mission statement aloud. That didn’t happen often—only at crucial moments. But it had a grounding effect, refocusing the discussion on what truly mattered.
Later, when I co-chaired a building committee for a community center and our team faced difficult decisions, I did the same. It was humbling to see experienced, professional, and business-savvy committee members rely on the mission statement to ensure we made the wisest choices possible.
In business (as well as civic work), I’ve often found myself in meetings that felt aimless or out of control. In those moments, I’ve mentally revisited those volunteer meetings, drawing inspiration from the leaders who upheld the mission with strength and integrity.
Companies will benefit from drafting meaningful mission statements
and
using them to guide pivotal decisions.
