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Below is information and links about individuals who have
made a marked difference in understanding the purpose and goals of mission
statements. Please click to information on each of them and then read
here what they have to say about mission statements.
Stephen Covey (The
author of
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People wrote in the foreword of Robert
Greenleaf's
Servant Leadership)---Many leaders don’t realize what’s involved in
creating a mission statement that truly represents deeply shared values and
vision at all levels of the organization. It takes patience, a long-term
perspective, and meaningful involvement---and few organizations rank high in
those virtues. Many organizations have a mission statement, but typically
people aren’t committed to it because they aren’t involved in developing it;
consequently it’s not part of the culture. Culture, by definition, assumes
shared vision and values, as represented by a mission statement put together
and understood and implemented by all levels of the organization.
To be effective, your mission statement
should deal with all four basic human needs; economic or money need; social
or relationship need; psychological or the need for human growth; and
spiritual or contribution need.
Robert Greenleaf in his text,
Servant Leadership (On developing a mission as a leader)---What are you
trying to do? Is one of the easiest to ask and most difficult to answer of
questions.
A mark of leaders, an attribute that puts
them in a position to show the way for others, is that they are better than
most at pointing the direction. As long as one is leading, one always has a
goal. It may be a goal arrived at by group consensus, or the leader acting
on inspiration, may simply have said, “Let’s go this way.” But the leader
always knows what it is and can articulate it for any who are unsure. By
clearly stating and restating the goal the leader gives certainty to others
who may have difficulty in achieving it for themselves.
The word goal is used here in the special
sense of the overarching purpose, the big dream, the visionary concept, the
ultimate consummation that one approaches but never really achieves. It is
something presently out of reach; it is something to strive for, to move
toward, to become. It is so stated that it excites the imagination and
challenges people to work for something they do not yet know how to do,
something they can be proud of as they move toward it.
Max DePree (in his
Leadership is an Art - translated into 10 languages and selling more
than 800,000 copies) said, --A mission statement should promote the
development of a rational environment that values trust and human dignity,
and provides the opportunity for personal development and self-fulfillment
in the organization’s goals. Leadership is an Art (1989).
John Wooden---A good leader creates
belief---in the leader’s philosophy, in the organization, in the mission.
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Assignments for Week
Directions:
1. Read What is a mission
2. Read the Lesson 3
Perspective.
3. Do the Readings in Lesson 3.
4. View the Video
5.
Answer Multiple Choice Questions
6. Do the Reflection and Preparation
Assignment on examining the goals of your coaching in relation to Servant
Leadership.
7. Complete Assessment
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If God had wanted man to play soccer, He wouldn't have given us
arms.
Mike Ditka
Photo is in the public domain. See Wikipedia. |
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For this Lesson 3, Click on each of the
following mission statements and compare the mission statements to what
Covey, Greenleaf, DePree, and Wooden argue are important. You will
find that some of the mission statements have flaws and do not meet the
quality indicators that Covey and Greenleaf argue for. Take time to
think about what each of these statements mean and how effective they would
be for the players.
Examples of Mission Statements/Football
Click on Each and Read - take notes
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NFL-Green
Bay Packers - 2006 - Mike McCarthy
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Division I---University of Missouri
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Non-Division
I---Santa Barbara City College
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High School---Garland High School, Garland Texas
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1.
According to Stephen Covey, our group that we lead should be thought of
as a “culture”. A culture implies:
1a. Common skill and ability by all members
1b. Shared goals and vision by all.
1c. Unique customs and rituals adhered to by all.
1d. Team tradition that demands excellence by all. |