“If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves…” ~Proverbs 29:18 GNB
The old proverb says that without vision the people perish; or as some say, without vision the people wander aimlessly.
Having a Measurable Purpose Statement is critical to the success of a vision.
It’s like having a road map with mile markers written on it. A list of milemarkers helps us plan and allocate resources, schedules, and talent.
It helps a team know what to say “yes” and “no” to during the journey. It also allows the leaders to make decisions at the lowest level that align with the vision and stay on track. It must be measurable.
Southwest Airlines for years has had one simple mile marker. “To be the lowest fare airline.”
Once, a Southwest executive was asked by a team leader in their onboard food department, “Should we upgrade our level of food service?” The executive’s only comment was, “Only if it will help us be the lowest-fare airline.”
Celebration
A purpose that is measurable is very helpful for the morale of any organization. Celebration is a very important part of any healthy community and by tracking the key components of the purpose statement it gives the members and leader a great opportunity to recognize and celebrate the completion of important goals along what can seem at times a long journey.
Self-Guiding
Each action of the Organization needs to be measured against the purpose statement. It should be quantifiable.
This way each person in the organization can judge their actions by the purpose statement. Like Southwest Airlines statement: “Only if it will help us be the lowest fare airline.”
If the action an employee is about to or has been taking does not support the purpose statement in a measurable way, then it should not be taken. So, having a measurable purpose statement is like a compass for each employee.
I like purpose statements instead of vision statements. A Purpose statement is the “why” your company exists. A vision statement is “what” your company is doing, which is important but not more important than the “why.”
Your company “why” will attract the best employees and the best customers.
But that’s another lesson. If you would like help in discovering your company’s “Why,” let me know.
A measurable purpose statement answers a lot of questions before they are asked.
All the best,
Alex
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