Your Mission, Vision, and Values (with Examples)

Summary

This video delves into the concept of mission, vision, and values for organizations, emphasizing the importance of values as guiding principles. It explains the distinction between mission and vision statements, using examples like Heifer International and Netflix to illustrate their purpose. The script highlights the discrepancy between stated values and actual business practices, cautioning that while values are meant to unify and motivate, they are sometimes not reflected in reality, as seen in the Enron scandal. It concludes by encouraging viewers to reflect on their own values and those of their teams or organizations.

Takeaways

• 📜 A mission statement is a concise explanation of an organization's purpose, including its why, who, and sometimes how.
• 🎯 The mission statement serves as a daily job description for an organization, focusing on its ongoing activities.
• 🌟 Heifer International's mission statement exemplifies a clear why (end hunger and poverty), who (small-scale farmers and communities), and how (providing livestock, training, and services).
• 🔮 A vision statement outlines what an organization aspires the future to be, describing its long-term goal.
• 🎬 Netflix's original vision was to become the world's best global entertainment distribution service, illustrating a clear future goal.
• 🔄 The difference between mission and vision is that the mission is present-focused, while the vision is future-oriented.
• 🏛 Corporate values are the guiding principles and beliefs that direct a team or organization toward a common goal, akin to personal values.
• 🛍 Wegmans' values emphasize care for individuals, high standards, excellence, community impact, respect, listening, and empowerment.
• 📹 YouTube's values center on freedom of expression, information, opportunity, and belonging, which guide its platform and company operations.
• 🚢 Oyster values community deeply, considering its employees, customers, and stakeholders as one family, inspired by shared stories and adventures.
• 🤔 Organizations sometimes claim values they do not uphold, as seen with Enron's fall from grace despite professing respect, integrity, communication, and excellence.
• 💡 Honest self-reflection on an organization's values and behavior is crucial for alignment and authenticity in corporate culture.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of a mission statement for an organization?

A mission statement serves as a concise explanation of what an organization does, its assignment, and typically includes the why (contribution or benefit), the who (intended customer or community), and sometimes the how (distinctive strategy or approach).

Can you provide an example of a mission statement from the script?

An example given in the script is Heifer International's mission statement: 'The mission of Heifer International is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth, by providing appropriate livestock, training, and related services to small-scale farmers and communities worldwide.'

What is the main difference between a mission statement and a vision statement?

A mission statement describes the day-to-day job description of an organization and is focused on the present, while a vision statement explains the organization's overarching long-term goal and is focused on the future.

What was the original vision statement for Netflix mentioned in the script?

The original vision statement for Netflix was 'Becoming the world's best global entertainment distribution service.'

What is the role of values in an organization?

Values in an organization are the guiding principles and beliefs that help lead a team or organization toward a common goal, similar to personal values, and they are promoted to ensure the entire group is aligned.

How does Wegmans express its corporate values on their website?

Wegmans states its values directly on their website, emphasizing care for every person's wellbeing and success, high standards, pursuit of excellence, making a difference in communities, respect and listening to people, and empowering people to make decisions.

What are YouTube's corporate values according to the script?

YouTube values freedom of expression, freedom of information, freedom of opportunity, and freedom to belong.

How does Heifer International refer to its values on their website?

Heifer International refers to its values as '12 cornerstones,' which are the principles that drive and motivate the way they do business.

What is an example of a company that did not live up to its published values?

Enron is an infamous example of a company that claimed values of respect, integrity, communication, and excellence, but their actions were in stark contrast to these stated values, leading to illegal activities and bankruptcy.

What is the potential issue with organizations stating values they do not consistently uphold?

When organizations do not live up to their stated values, it can lead to a disconnect between the company's image and its actual practices, potentially causing cynicism among employees and stakeholders.

What is the final call to action for the viewers in the script?

The final call to action is for viewers to list their top three or four values that drive them personally or professionally, and to consider watching the first two videos in the series on mission and vision statements for a more comprehensive understanding.