Course summary

Well done on completing this course. Here is a summary of the key ideas from the course. We encourage you to discuss what you have learnt with your team.

Importance of a good mission statement:

• Sustains external focus
• Emphasises unique contribution
• Provides discipline to say no
• Leaders say a faster yes
• Maintains better priorities
• Foster alignment and unity

Critical elements of a good mission statement:

• Whom do we serve / Who is our target customer?
• What unique value do we create?
• What is the essence of what we do well?

The importance of a good vision statement:

• Focuses initiative
• Serves as a catalyst for unity
• Forces innovation
• Attracts more external support
• Makes your progress visible
• Forces durable loyalty
• Leads to better investment choices

Components of setting organisational direction:

Importance of values:

• Being, not just doing
• Guidance without micromanagement
• Inspiration
• Clear compatibility standards
• Principles over hierarchy

Identify your core values:

• Don’t have too many
• Connect to behaviour
• Choose meaningful, even unique names
• Identify and dissect heroes (staff, projects, stories)
• Identify and dissect misfits (those who failed because they violated a value)
• Force candid self-assessment
• Consider where you’re willing to pay a real cost to adhere to specific principles and behavior

Leaders guide questions:

• In what ways does your mission statement give purpose?
• In what ways does your vision statement give direction?
• In what ways does your values guide behaviour and establish boundaries?
• As you reflect on how and where your mission, vision and values lead your organisation, identify where more refinement needs to be done and how you will start the process.