Mission/Vision/Values Statements for Positive Organizational Change

Organizational change is often met with anxiety and frustration; however, it is often needed to push the company forward. This is why an organization must prepare individuals for change readiness (Mladenova, 2022). Intrinsic motivation can be achieved when members of an organization believe in the work they and the company are doing or the work is aligned with their core values (Kintu & Venter, 2019). Research has shown that an effective way to prepare employees for a change is to be transparent with the organization's goals and mission so employees can feel like they belong (Mladenova, 2022). This is why constructing a mission, vision, and values statement is essential.

Constructing a mission/vision/values and business statement takes considerable time and effort from senior management within an organization. When formulating a mission statement, negotiation, compromise, and eventual agreement are necessary before management can focus on specific strategy formulation (David & David, 2014). This is why it is essential to establish a team in senior management that is well-attuned to the company's values to construct these statements. It is important to note that organizations that create statements aligned with the values of individuals working for it will see greater equity returns (Hubbard, 2023). When constructing these mission statements, a simple process is identifying the critical market, contributions, and distinctions (Fiset & Hajj, 2022). A vision statement differs in how it looks to the future and describes how this mission will help in the future (Kotter et al., 2021). Sometimes organizations struggle with identifying the "why" of the company, which is why the values statement is such a help. This is because our core values are our why and indicate why we do what we do and what keeps us going during adversity (Hubbard, 2023). Finally, the business statement serves as a guideline for how an organization will carry out its mission and vision and also functions as a promise to the employee (Kotter et al., 2021).

Establishing these statements and carrying them out can improve the intrinsic motivation of the organization's members. This is because when a company defines and carries out values aligned with the employee, there is a great sense of pride in the employee's work (Olawale, 2022). Additionally, studies have shown that individuals who identify their core values and “why” are less likely to burn out and can achieve flow which improves the productivity of the organization (Cuadrado et al., 2021). Finally, it is these statements that key stakeholders in the organization can turn to when needing to look back at the strategic plan to ensure the company is speaking to the key market, contributing, and remaining distinctive (Fiset & Hajj, 2022).?

References

Cuadrado, E., Tabernero, C., Fajardo, C., Luque, B., Arenas, A., Moyano, M., & Castillo-Mayén, R. (2021). Type D Personality Individuals: Exploring the Protective Role of Intrinsic Job Motivation in Burnout.?Revista de Psicologia Del Trabajo y de Las Organizaciones,?37(2), 133–141. https://doi.org/10.5093/jwop2021a12

David, F., & David, F. (2014).?Strategic management. Boston [etc.]: Pearson. Elbanna, S., & Elsharnouby, T. H. (2018). Revisiting the relationship between formal planning process and planning effectiveness: Do organizational capabilities and decision-making style matter??International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management,?30(2), 1016–1034.

Fiset, J., & Hajj, R. A. (2022). Mission Statement Content and the Signaling of Institutional Performance: An Examination of Non-U.S. International Business Schools.?Academy of Management Learning & Education,?21(2), 188–208. https://doi.org/10.5465/amle.2020.0303

Holmes, W. T. “Toby.” (2021). Start with why: and answer with motivating language.?Development & Learning in Organizations,?35(2), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLO-12-2019-0281

Hubbart, J. A. (2023). Organizational Change: Considering Truth and Buy-In.?Administrative Sciences (2076-3387),?13(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci13010003

Kintu, I., & Venter, R. (2019). Core values as drivers of entrepreneurial performance: A study of SMEs in Uganda’s central region.?Development Southern Africa,?36(5), 651–665. https://doi.org/10.1080/0376835X.2018.1559041

Kotter, J. P., Akhtar, V., & Gupta, G. (2021).?Change how organizations achieve hard-to-imagine results in uncertain and volatile times. Wiley.

Mao, J., & Tian, K. (2022). Psychological safety mediates the relationship between leader–member exchange and employees’ work engagement.?Social Behavior & Personality: An International Journal,?50(3), 1–9.

Mladenova, I. (2022). Relation between Organizational Capacity for Change and Readiness for Change.?Administrative Sciences (2076-3387),?12(4), 135. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci12040135

Olawale, F. (2022). Environmental Self-Identity and Energy Saving Behaviour of Hotel Employees: The Mediating Role of Intrinsic Motivation.?Geo Journal of Tourism and Geosites,?42(2 supplement), 743–750. https://doi.org/10.30892/gtg.422spl13-884