What's MY vision?

I am often so busy helping school administrators develop their vision, mission, and core values and then align their practice around them that I sometimes forget to publicly share my own vision, mission, and core values. In fact, the other day, one of my clients asked me, "Robyn, what is YOUR vision?"

So here is the Mindsteps Purpose:

Vision (what are we building?): Every administrator we serve will achieve their vision in 3 years or less.

Mission (why is that important?): We exist to build schools and classrooms where EVERY student is successful and thrives.

Core Values (what's our role?):

1. Drama-free work environment

2. Figure it out

3. Do the right thing even when it hurts

What does that mean in terms of how we do our work each day?

First, it means that all our efforts are focused on helping our clients achieve their vision for 100% of their students within 3 years. If it doesn't move a client forward in achieving their vision, we don't do it.

Second, it means that the "why" that drives our work is that we passionately believe that ALL students deserve to be successful in schools. Our entire purpose is to help build classrooms and schools where every single child is nurtured, supported, challenged, and successful.

Third, it means that in doing our work we need to keep things as drama-free as possible for both our clients and for ourselves. We can't achieve ambitious goals if we are distracted by drama.

And because we're pursuing BIG goals, it means that there is no room for excuses. No matter what we're facing -- from toxic school cultures to a global pandemic -- the work is too important to let any of that derail us. Whatever life throws at us, we will figure out a way (and help our clients to figure it a way) to still achieve success for 100% of students.

That means that we must always do the right thing. Our mission is too important to settle for what's most convenient at the moment.

Notice how by simply defining your vision, mission, and core values, you create a unique IDENTITY and give everyone who works with you a clarity about their work that immediately creates boundaries yes, but also unleashes creativity, passion, and, well purpose?

Not only that, but a clear vision, mission, and core values creates a clear sense of INTEGRITY with your team. It frees you up to be able to trust everyone on your team because as long as their behavior stays inside your purpose, you know that they are on the right path.

Plus, it clarifies for any stakeholders who you are, what IMPACT you will make in your students' lives, in your community, and in the world.

We say all the time at Buildership? University that "structure gives you freedom." The moment I created this structure around our vision, mission, and core values, it freed me and my team up to pursue work that really matters and, more important, to stop doing work that didn't. It has done the same for the thousands of administrators who have gone through this same process.

It will do it for you too.

So, if you haven't taken time to create a vision, mission, and core values for your school...

Or, if you have a vision, mission, and core values but they aren't defining and driving your work...

Then why not spend the time this summer doing exactly that. That way, you can start next school year with a clarity of purpose that will re-ignite the passion and creativity of your staff, give you and your team focus, and help your stakeholders clearly understand who you are and the impact you will have in the community and the world.

Imagine what next year could look like for you with that kind of clarity.

(If you'd like help developing your vision, mission, and core values, there are 3 ways I can help you:

1) We spend the first morning of Builder's Lab doing exactly this. You'll leave with a clear vision and a process for developing your mission and core values with your staff. You can get your ticket to Builder's Lab at https://mindstepsinc.com/builders-lab

2) We work with you through the entire process in Buildership? University, coaching and guiding you through each step. You can join the next cohort of Buildership? University at https://BuildershipUniversity.com.

3)I can get you started on your vision at an upcoming free vision workshop inside of Buildership? University. - Go to https://BuildershipUniversity.com and join the free tier to access our monthly free vision workshops)