If it is good enough for Tesla and Costco to have a Mission Statement…. why not have your own Mission Statement?

During my corporate career I have had the challenge\{ read opportunity\} to develop Mission Statements for several major corporations. This was part of these corporation’s major re-alignment to attain a refocus on their business activities, regain market share and create wealth for its shareholder, staff and other stakeholders.

As a result of these tasks I realized the important role a personal mission statement could play in my career, as it would force me to crystallize what business I was in and what I could offer to corporations.

My Mission Statement proved to be of assistance throughout my working life and as my skills changed/developed/matured so I modified it to suit my appeal to potential employers.

Subsequently I insisted that all people who worked with me develop their own Mission Statement which they also found extremely helpful.

Also importantly, I am now convinced that mission statements are just as relevant for service providers such as stroke clinicians as they are for the business community.

Some examples of Mission Statements-

Tesla-“Telsa’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy”

Costo-“Here at Costco, we have a very straightforward, but important mission: to continually provide our members with quality goods and services at the lowest possible prices”

So, employees of these companies are through their company’s Mission Statements aware of the role they play and also the business that their employer is in.

How to write your own Mission Statement.

Step 1.Read your employer’s Mission Statement-your Mission Statement should align itself to that of your employer’s.

Step 2.Imagine a person stops one of your existing patients in the street asks him/her about you as a stroke clinician. The question would be as simple as ”Tell me about so and so? What is he/she like as a physio/OT/Speech Therapist?

Ideally the response should contain terms like “professional, knowledgeable, caring, good communicator; makes you feel at ease”.

The responses should mirror the properties outlined in the Company’s Mission Statement- after all the employees are the people who deliver the expectation created in this statement.

Then be honest with yourself- identify the habits/traits that you must strengthen or relinquish- make a concerted effort to strengthen any deficiencies and eliminate any negative ones.

Then sit and develop your own Mission Statement- it could be as simple as

“In my role as a physio at ACME Physiotherapy, I will carry out my role in a professional, respectful manner utilizing all the available facilities available at ACME so that my patients can achieve their maximum level of recovery and ongoing health”

What is the difference between a ‘Mission Statement’ and a ‘Vison Statement’?

The difference is that a mission statement focuses on the present state of the corporation/individual in question whereas a vison statement is outlining the future of the corporation/individual’s future.

A mission statement answers the question “Who are we/Who am I?’ and the vison statement answers the question “Where are we/am I going?’

Then what do I do?

Frame it- Display it around your house so you see it every day- display it at your work desk!

Then ensure that every contact with patients are in keeping with what qualities outlined in your Mission Statement!

Live up to the expectation you have created! Get writing!

Happy Trails!!