“Mission drift” is a critical problem in many organizations. Leaders often spend countless hours crafting the perfect mission statement only to paint it on the wall only to have it forgotten about.
If you desire to have an inspired, focused team, you must keep the mission in front of your followers at all times. The busyness of each day’s tasks can easily overtake the mission of your team or organization if you’re not careful.
Does your team know your mission by heart?
Have they memorized it?
Have you clearly and consistently communicated it and shared why it matters?
These are key questions if you are going to lead a successful organization, campaign, or initiative.
I recently heard the story of an executive team bragging about their mission, but when the consultant working with them asked what it was, the CFO couldn’t remember it. They had invested 48 hours during a dedicated retreat to create the mission statement shortly before this meeting occurred!
How can team members forget so easily?
1 – In their busyness, it can quickly disappear from their minds.
2 – The leader doesn’t reiterate it often enough.
It’s been said that it takes at least eight times of communicating something before people finally HEAR a message. It’s after the eighth time that it actually begins to sink in!
As a leader, you must continually “beat the drum” and remind people of the mission in various ways. Speak it, write it, and explain it. Use speeches, emails, videos, and memes to keep it in front of your followers. Whatever you can think of that will connect with them, do it. It’s too valuable to let the mission fall to the wayside. When this happens, “mission drift” occurs and soon your team will be busy doing meaningless work that doesn’t accomplish the mission.
Leadership is challenging.
Leading people can be downright exhausting at times.
Navigating different personalities and tasks can feel overwhelming.
Despite these realities, keeping the mission top-of-mind is a critical component of leadership. There’s no way around it.
Imagine your team members immediately reciting your mission statement back to you at any given moment.
Imagine all decisions of your team being filtered through the lens of your mission.
Imagine followers holding themselves and their peers accountable for pursuing the mission above all else.
It’s possible when you take ownership of keeping it top-of-mind.
Leaders need safe spaces to refuel and be encouraged as they pursue and promote the mission. That’s why I created the Magnetic Leadership Community. If you’re a leader who wants to attract quality team members and keep them engaged, this is your opportunity to join a community of like-minded business owners and executives who are committed to their personal growth.
CLICK HERE to learn more and to join. If you join by March 31st, 2021 you’ll receive a free copy of my upcoming book, The Magnetic Leader, which is scheduled for release this spring.
I believe you have a valuable mission, but do your people know it well?
When they memorize it, own it, and work to fulfill it amazing things can happen.
The more you and your followers are aware of the mission, the more successful you can become. CLICK HERE to join the Magnetic Leadership Community today!
Until next time…make today GREAT!
