How can you write a clear and concise mission statement?

“Clarity is the counterbalance of profound thoughts.” — Luc de Clapiers Write a clear and concise mission statement by focusing on your organization's core purpose, values, and goals. Use straightforward language and be specific about what you aim to achieve and how. Ensure it is memorable and aligns with your long-term vision. Avoid jargon and keep it brief, ideally one to two sentences, so it resonates easily with both employees and stakeholders.

Defining your purpose to create a clear and concise mission statement is like being the keeper of a lighthouse. Your mission is to guide your organization through the darkness by illuminating a clear path forward. Start by reflecting on the values and principles that guide your organization, much like the lighthouse's unwavering beacon. Identify the unique strengths and goals that set you apart, acting as the guiding star for your mission. Your mission should communicate how your organization contributes positively to the world. Share your mission statement like a lighthouse keeper. Let your team and stakeholders know that your purpose is a shining beacon they can rally behind, creating a sense of unity and shared direction.

A company’s mission statement is put in place to let customers & shareholders know what their business is all about. It lets stakeholders know what the end goal is, how they intend to get there & keeps them focused and on course. A great mission statement should be 1.Easy to recite 2.Agreed upon by key constituents 3.Long lasting to hopefully hold up even with changing technology and customer needs 4.Can give customer and employees a sense of comfort 5.Motivate employees For example, TED's mission statement is "Discover and spread ideas that spark conversation, deepen understanding, and drive meaningful change.". This mission statement shines through in every talk we have seen the company publish on the internet.

An example of a short and simple mission statement is that of Walt Disney's (you can also call it a vision), which was just 4 words long: "To make people happy".

The emotional component of your message makes your message memorable. It's similar to an artist painting a masterpiece. Begin by envisioning the canvas – the overarching purpose of your organization. Just as a painter chooses a distinctive theme or style, select a mission that reflects your unique values and aspirations. Use vibrant and evocative language to make your statement memorable. Just as a well-crafted painting leaves a lasting impact, a remarkable mission statement should leave an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of your team and stakeholders. Share your mission statement like a painter unveiling their artwork to the world. The more they understand and connect with it, the more they'll cherish and advocate for it.

Another thing that can be done in order to create a mission statement that is "acceptable" by the organisation's members is to conduct a survey or ask the members to propose a mission statement that they think describes best the organisation. After collecting the proposals, the leader can adjust the organisation's mission statement so that it suits best both the organisation's values and the members' perspective. In any case, the leader will collect valuable ideas.

Although a mission statement can be changed in order to reflect the organisation's progress in several areas, it should not differ as far as the core values of the organisation are concerned. Everyone should keep in mind the saying: "As far as the values are concerned stay still as a rock. As far as the method is concerned, go with the flow".

Mission statement in the military usually refers to 5 elements of a single mission (military operation). These are: 1. WHO is going to execute the mission. 2. WHAT is going to be executed (task). 3. WHERE the mission is going to be executed (area). 4. WHEN the mission is going to be executed (time). 5. WHY the mission is going to be executed (purpose). The way "mission statement" is described in this article though, it resembles more to the military term of "Commander's Intent", which consists of the following 3 elements: 1. PURPOSE of the mission (the greater cause). 2. KEY TASKS of the mission (tasks that are essential to accomplishing the mission). 3. END STATE, what the commander wants the battlefield to look like after the mission.