“No offense or anything, but I just don’t see any value in putting together a mission statement. I think it’s a waste of time. I’m here for one reason: to make money.” He dropped the comment matter-of-factly, and I’m glad he did. I’m better for hearing it. My client isn’t alone in his cynicism that organization effectiveness efforts can link to revenue. He’s just one of the few who are bold enough to say it out loud.
So, can organization effectiveness (OE) work impact the bottom line? Well, let’s see…
Mission and Values: A Genius Example
About a year ago, I led a session with the leaders of our top 50 clients. The best of the best. Their parting call to action was to write a mission/vision statement that included more than just a revenue target. I got some eye-rolls, as usual. But I also got some ‘woman-you-just-stopped-me-dead-in-my-tracks’ looks from several takers.
One of those takers, let’s call him Champion, followed up with me a week or two later. He told me he’s had a lot of success without having to focus heavily on the OE side, but he realized at the meeting that it was time to step deeper into leadership and drive the business forward, having a different kind of impact if he wanted a legacy beyond revenue. We talked through some mission-building process and facilitation best practices, and he was on his way.
Champion gathered his team together, and through an iterative process over 6-8 weeks, they crafted and refined (and refined again) a collective mission statement and five supporting values. That exercise increased engagement across the entire team – so much so that his sub-teams voluntarily took more ownership for their contribution to the larger mission and achievement of goals – and then they went after them. It worked. They owned it.
The end result: revenue increased. And Champion grew as a leader.
But don’t just take our word for it.
Mission-driven workers are 54 percent more likely to stay for five years at a company and 30 percent more likely to grow into high performers than those who arrive at work with only their paycheck as the motivator.
Read what Forbes says.
Or see what Gallup research shows.
Or, think about what this finding from Deloitte could mean for your business:
73 percent of employees who say they work at a “purpose-driven” company are engaged, compared to just 23 percent of those who don’t.
Be a Champion
Whatever your reason, or mission, for leading or working every day, isn’t it time to get the most organizationally effective return on your investment? Consider this your call to action.
Annette Wehrli
Director, Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness
Sr. Organizational Effectiveness Consultant
MRINETWORK • MRITHRIVE