Turning Mission Statements into Action

Corporations love to author mission statements because they help an organization figure out its purpose, and help employees work toward that goal. But if management fails to create commitment to the statement, then action toward the statement cannot occur. In order to make your mission statement happen, you must complete five steps: 1) iteration, 2) awareness, 3) understanding, 4) commitment, and 5) action. The initial writing of the statement can be easy, but making others aware of it, and having them make a commitment to it, are critical steps in the process. Finally, action can take place only when the organization regularly reviews its progress toward the mission, and has employees' total buy-in to the mission and its goals.