Posters, Plaques, Horse Manure & Resignation?

Why the “Posters, Plaques, Horse Manure & Resignation” in this title? When I thought about the topic of mission, values and BHAGs, the above indicates my initial reaction. “Posters and Plaques” are because this is what typically happen to mission and values. They are created by the senior leadership team and then put on posters that are then put up around the building. Nice chatzkes, like plaques, coins and little statuettes, are created and emblazoned with the mission and values. These are then put on every desk throughout the organization. That can mean a lot of chatzkes.

“Horse Manure” is in the title because this is how many a corporate citizen reacts to this topic. Why? Because the connection between whatever is in the mission or values statement is not seen as being relevant to what is going on within the day-to-day operations of the organization. The behavior of the organization and what is described in the organization’s mission or values statement and their BHAGs are not seen as congruent.

Resignation is in the title because it reflects my fear that this article will not make a difference. I fear that leadership teams will still go and write these empty mission and value statements. I am scared that they will continue to be empty rollouts of these pronouncements. My biggest concern is that the mission and values will continue to be irrelevant to day-to-day operations of the business.

Enough of this tirade. It is a downer. But then it does not have to be this way. Let me be extremely positive about the mission, values and BHAGs as a potentially positive aspect of organizational life. I have seen many examples of companies and organizations where the values and mission of the organization form their heart and soul. Hey, get over yourself and your surprise and disbelief at what I am saying. I am anything other than complicated.

At its best, a Mission/Reason for Being, Values and BHAGs give an organization a future to live into. It is the thing that galvanizes and focuses the organization. A small insurance company is a case in point. This is their “Reason for Being” story and how it can galvanize and motivate an organization. It is also a morality tale of how, when a vision is delivered on, there can be implications.

Learn more about Mission/Reason for Being, Values and BHAGs by visiting the CMI Business Planning Website.