Great teams have clarity on mission, vision, values, strategy, and culture. This topic will introduce these concepts for all team members, giving you the tools to get on the same page and accomplish your goals. Use the 5-Point Clarity Worksheet to process this with your team or leadership staff. Here’s a quick overview:
#1 Mission
Mission answers the question, “Why do we exist?” As leaders, we need to be clear about our main job. What is our real goal? Try to articulate it in a sentence or two. Though it might change as you get more clarity as a leader, it’s helpful to try to write it out for starters.
[External Resource: How to Write a Mission Statement]
For Christian ministries and churches, one of our biggest missions is to carry out the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20. While your particular ministry goals might include mercy, counseling, or reaching a certain demographic in your area, the mission should include the Great Commission.
#2: Values
Values answer the question, “What do we care about?” What are the values that you want to transfer to your team? Your team members won’t know them automatically, so why not tell them? First, you’ll need to be clear for yourself.
If you are part of a Christian ministry or business, one of your values should be personal and corporate godliness.
1 Timothy 4:8-9 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it.
#3: Vision
Vision answers the question, “Where are we going?” What do you envision for your team this year or three, five, or ten years down the road? Your vision is your picture of a perfect future. What would you like to see down the road?
#4: Strategy
Strategy answers the question, “How will we get there?” It’s one thing to have a mission statement and values on a plaque on the wall, but without a clear strategy for how it’s going to happen, it’s all talk. Strategic objectives are big-ticket items that can be broken down into smaller, actionable items.
[External Resource: Strategy, Actions Steps, and Habits]
#5: Culture
Culture answers the question, “How do we actually do things?” Your culture is about the real-life habits of your team. If a stranger were to observe you, what would they see? It’s helpful to assess your team culture several times each year, measuring it against the four points above.
[External Resource: Culture Is Everything]
If you get clarity on these five points, you’ll be positioned to truly win as a team.
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Have you ever been a part of an organization with a clear mission? Describe it. Why is clarity on this topic so valuable to a team?
- If you are part of a Christian church or ministry, read Matthew 28:18-20. What is your church/ministry doing to uniquely go after the mission Jesus gave us in your particular context?
- Of the five points above, which element is your strongest as a team? Which element is the most undefined?
- What are your personal (or corporate) values? Why are these our values?
- What is your mission? Why?
- What is your vision? Why?
- What do you currently spend the most time doing? What should you be prioritizing?
- What do you need to clarify in this area for your team, and who needs to be around the table to help?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
