How do you create an inclusive vision and mission?

1 Define your purpose

Before you start crafting your vision and mission statements, you need to have a clear understanding of your purpose. What is the core reason for your existence as an educational leader? What is the impact that you want to have on your students, staff, and society? What are the values and principles that guide your actions and decisions? Your purpose should be aligned with your personal and professional identity, as well as with the needs and expectations of your context. To define your purpose, you can use tools such as the Golden Circle model, the Ikigai framework, or the SMART criteria.

2 Involve your stakeholders

Creating an inclusive vision and mission is not a solo task. It requires the participation and input of all the stakeholders who are affected by your leadership, such as students, teachers, parents, administrators, partners, and community members. Involving your stakeholders will help you gain different perspectives, identify common goals, address diverse needs, and build trust and collaboration. To involve your stakeholders, you can use methods such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, workshops, or forums. You can also create a vision and mission committee that represents the diversity of your community.

3 Craft your statements

Once you have gathered the feedback and insights from your stakeholders, you can start drafting your vision and mission statements. Your vision statement should describe the ideal future that you want to create or contribute to. It should be aspirational, inspirational, and motivational. Your mission statement should describe how you plan to achieve your vision. It should be specific, realistic, and actionable. Both statements should be concise, clear, and memorable. You can use techniques such as brainstorming, mind mapping, or storytelling to craft your statements.

4 Communicate your vision and mission

After you have finalized your vision and mission statements, you need to communicate them effectively to your stakeholders and the wider audience. You want to make sure that your vision and mission are understood, shared, and supported by everyone. You also want to create a sense of urgency and excitement around them. To communicate your vision and mission, you can use channels such as newsletters, websites, social media, posters, or videos. You can also use events such as assemblies, meetings, or celebrations to showcase your statements.

5 Align your actions and decisions

Creating an inclusive vision and mission is not enough. You also need to align your actions and decisions with them. You need to demonstrate that you are committed to your vision and mission and that you are willing to take the necessary steps to make them a reality. You also need to monitor and evaluate your progress and impact regularly and adjust your strategies accordingly. To align your actions and decisions with your vision and mission, you can use tools such as action plans, rubrics, or dashboards. You can also use feedback mechanisms such as surveys, reviews, or reports to measure your outcomes and impact.

6 Celebrate your achievements and challenges

Finally, you need to celebrate your achievements and challenges along the way. You need to recognize and appreciate the efforts and contributions of your stakeholders and yourself. You also need to acknowledge and learn from the difficulties and obstacles that you encounter. Celebrating your achievements and challenges will help you maintain your motivation, enthusiasm, and resilience. It will also help you foster a culture of recognition, learning, and improvement. To celebrate your achievements and challenges, you can use methods such as awards, certificates, or testimonials. You can also use events such as ceremonies, parties, or retreats to celebrate your achievements and challenges.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?