Crafting Effective Mission Statements

When you set out to build a company that is good for society, how do you make sure your intentions go beyond just window dressing? In the 21 years that I have written about startups for Bloomberg Businessweek and Fortune and WIRED, I've seen a lot of companies make short-sighted decisions that compromise their social goals. They blame the economy, or the stock market, or a competitive business landscape. They say it's impossible. But companies like Warby Parker prove it’s possible to build a strong business that does good, *even* after 16 years and *even* in this economy. So how do we ensure that purpose stays at the heart of our work? Cofounder Neil Blumenthal shared his thoughts on a recent episode of the #HelloMondayPodcast: 1. Define Clear Values: Purpose can’t just be a buzzword. Embed your company’s core values into everything you do—from how you hire and treat employees to the sustainability of your supply chain. 2. Measure and Share Impact: Be transparent about your goals and track your progress with hard data. Share what’s working, and just as importantly, what’s not. True commitment to change means accountability, not perfection. 3. Engage Stakeholders: Your employees, customers, and communities should have a voice. Create feedback loops that allow for honest input and adjust your approach based on their needs, not just what looks good in a mission statement. 4. Lead by Example: It’s not enough to talk about doing good—your leadership needs to embody these values. Authenticity comes from action at every level of the company. We don't have to sacrifice social impact for growth. It takes intentionality and accountability, but it’s possible to stay true to mission. And: Big gratitude to Leanne Pittsford & the Lesbians Who Tech & Allies Summit for inviting us to record this episode live in September in New York City! What do you think? How can businesses balance purpose with profitability in today’s challenging environment? Who is doing it well?

There are countless strategies and methodologies for becoming a high-performing Internal Audit leader and team, but without the right mindset, even the best strategies can fall short. Being in Internal Audit is challenging. You’re expected to quickly master complex topics, often with limited resources. Many people are predisposed to avoid working with you. And when adverse issues arise, they may become adversarial, leading to difficult interactions. Having the right mindset is crucial for navigating these challenges, avoiding burnout, and maintaining overall well-being. A positive mindset helps you embrace these obstacles as opportunities to achieve greater goals, and become a more relevant and higher-contributing team. Based on my experiences, here are three tactics to improve the mindset of Internal Audit leaders and their team: 1. Positive Affirmations and Self-Talk The best way to deal with the bumps in the road of our work is to continually remind yourself of the value Internal Audit provides to the organization. You can do this through: - Positive self-talk - Meditation - Journaling - Surrounding yourself with others—whether it be former co-workers, an industry group, a community, or an association—who share a passion for and bring positivity to the field. 2. Having a Vision or Mission Statement Positive conversations and thoughts are powerful, but putting pen to paper and documenting an ideal future state for your team is transformative. A clear mission statement provides a foundation to center and remind the team of its ultimate goal and purpose, helping to maintain a positive mindset. What does your team strive to achieve? Whatever it is, create a mission statement, document it on every deliverable, and evangelize it to make it the focal point of your team’s work. For example, our team's mission statement was "Internal Audit: Enabling Positive Change". Simple, yet powerful. 3. Prioritizing the Needs of the Company over Individual or Department Interests This approach is often what distinguishes exceptional leaders and teams. Here are some examples where this tactic can help: - Are you choosing a GRC solution that is the best fit for Internal Audit, or the best fit for audit customers? - Are you providing assurance that highlights every observation identified, or only those that, if addressed, will significantly benefit the company? - Does your AC report highlight the successes of your team, or the successes of the business units that have worked with your team? - Are you taking on needed work to help establish and drive a positive approach to risk management, or do you see yourself as an independent function of the company? Implementing these tactics helped me become a better Internal Audit leader, and develop a higher performing Internal Audit team. And they may be what is needed to help you and your team to develop the mindset needed to thrive and drive meaningful change within your organizations.

𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑽𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔: 𝑨 𝑮𝒖𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 As a veteran and corporate CXO, I've had the privilege of witnessing the power of a compelling vision and mission statement in driving organizational success. These statements are not just words; 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘂𝗽𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻'𝘀 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁. Today, I'd like to share some insights on how corporate leaders can create a vision and mission that truly inspire and guide their teams. 1. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲: Your vision and mission statements should reflect the core purpose of your organization. Why does it exist, and what positive impact does it aim to make on the world? Your purpose should be more than just profit; it should encompass the value you bring to your customers, employees, and society. 2. 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺: Crafting these statements shouldn't be a top-down exercise. Engage your team in the process. Ask for their input and perspectives. When your team feels ownership of the vision and mission, they are more likely to be aligned and motivated to achieve the goals. 3. 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗜𝘁 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲: A compelling vision and mission statement should be clear and concise, making it easy for everyone in your organization to understand and remember. Think of it as your "North Star" that provides direction without overwhelming complexity. 4. 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲: Your vision should be aspirational. It should inspire and motivate your team, leaving them excited about the future. It should be something they can rally behind, feeling proud to be a part of your organization. 5. 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿: Your mission should also reflect your core values. What are the principles and beliefs that guide your organization's actions? These values should be evident in your day-to-day operations and decision-making. 6. 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆: Ensure that your vision and mission align with your business strategy. They should serve as a foundation for your strategic planning and decision-making. 7. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲: Once you've crafted your vision and mission, don't let them gather dust on a shelf. Regularly communicate and reinforce them. Use them in your internal and external messaging to build consistency and alignment. 8. 𝗘𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: Organizations evolve, and so should your vision and mission statements. Periodically review and update them to ensure they remain relevant and meaningful. #Leadership #VisionAndMission #CorporateStrategy #CXOInsights #PurposeDrivenLeadership

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐯𝐚𝐬 𝑨 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑨 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈. As a leader, I’ve seen the same problem repeat: beautifully crafted mission statements that inspire no one because they never leave the page. The real challenge isn’t creating the words, it’s creating the bridge between 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 and 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. That’s why I developed the 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐯𝐚𝐬, a tool for leaders who want purpose to drive performance, not just decorate walls. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬: 1. 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 What truly energises your people? Where do they find meaning in their work? What future do they want to create? 2. 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 How do individual aspirations align with team objectives? Where are the natural connection points? What needs to be bridged? 3. 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 How does your company’s purpose resonate across generations? Where do you see alignment gaps? What stories bring your purpose to life? 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥-𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬: A 𝐆𝐞𝐧 𝐙 team member wants to impact climate change. The team sets a goal to reduce its carbon footprint, directly aligning with the company’s sustainability mission. A 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫 leader wants to mentor future leaders. The team launches a knowledge transfer programme, directly aligning with the company’s innovation mission. When these layers connect, engagement and performance shift. Productivity soars when people see their personal purpose reflected in their daily work. The truth is, it’s not about perfect alignment. It’s about authentic connection. Which link in this purpose chain is strongest for your people? Which needs strengthening? If this framework sparked ideas, like, comment, and 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 so more leaders can turn purpose from a statement into a lived reality and save it as a tool to revisit with your own teams. #HarveysLeadershipRhythms #TheLeadershipSignal #LeadWithIntention #Leadership #ExecutiveLeadership #LeadWithPurpose #LeadershipReflections #HarveysLeadershipBites #ThoughtsWithHarvey #LeadershipCue #Harveysdailyleadershipreflection #GenerationalLeadership #FutureOfWork

This process took me 20 years to develop. I’ll break it down for you in 2 minutes. Are you struggling with a mission statement that looks good on paper but lacks real impact? You're not alone. I've been there, and I've seen countless entrepreneurs grapple with this crucial element. If your mission statement doesn't light you on fire, it's worthless. Here’s my exact framework for creating one that drives your business forward. 1. Clarity fuels success Without a destination, you’re permanently lost. To make progress you must know EXACTLY where you’re trying to end up. Without a clear goal, it’s impossible to prioritize options or measure progress. Be specific. REALLY specific. You need a higher degree of clarity than you think. It’s not “I want to win a medal.” It’s “I want to win a gold medal in the men’s freestyle medley at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a record-breaking time of XXXX.” Ask yourself: • What is the exact goal? • How will I measure success? Don’t settle for vague ideas. Clarity is power. 2. Ignite passion Your mission must set your soul on fire. If it doesn’t, start over. Identify: • A wrong in the world that makes you furious. • A cause you deeply care about. That’s your fuel. 3. Communicate effectively Your mission statement should resonate with your team and customers. Use powerful language that excites and inspires. Tips: • Use clear and concise language. • Avoid jargon and fluff. 4. Adapt and evolve Ensure your mission is broad enough to grow with your company. Stay flexible and be ready to pivot as needed. Consider: • Future trends and market shifts. • Long-term goals and vision. 5. Engage your team A compelling mission gives your team a reason to show up beyond a paycheck. Infectious enthusiasm drives everyone toward success. Create: • A culture of passion and purpose. • Regular team updates and check-ins. 6. Drive decision-making Use your mission as a guiding light for all major decisions. It should help you prioritize and stay focused on what truly matters. Process: • Align decisions with mission goals. • Regularly review and adjust. 7. Consistency is key Make sure your mission is consistently reflected in every aspect of your business. From marketing to operations, your mission should be your anchor. Implement: • Mission-aligned marketing campaigns. • Consistent internal and external messaging. 8. Feedback loop Regularly revisit and refine your mission statement based on feedback. Keep chiseling away until your purpose is sharp and clear. Action: • Collect feedback from stakeholders. • Iterate and improve. 9. Embody your mission Live and breathe your mission every single day. Let it be the driving force behind every action you take. Steps: • Lead by example. • Share success stories that align with your mission. Now it’s time to take action and share your mission statement… In 30 words or less, tell me your mission.

At a recent event with multiple entrepreneurs the question came up as to what is the fundamental element for the success of start ups and entrepreneurs. There are multiple different things that lead to a success. In the next few days, I will share my point of view on this topic focusing on one element at a time. Start with “Why”: Here’s something I’ve learned after founding multiple startups (including HOPPR and helping scale them to real-world impact: It’s not just about what you build—it’s about why you’re building it in the first place. Why Your “Why” Matters: 1. Team Alignment: When everyone—from your engineers to your customer success team—rallies around a shared purpose, decisions get faster, solutions get better, and people stay energized. 2. Customer Connection: Customers resonate with the story behind your product. They want to know the deeper purpose that drives you, not just your latest feature update. 3. Long-Term Vision: In my own experience, the “why” acts like a guiding principle. Whenever obstacles pop up (and trust me, they will), a strong purpose keeps your momentum alive and your direction clear. My Take: I’ve seen firsthand how an unwavering mission can fuel disruptive innovation—whether it’s creating the world’s first FDA-cleared portable MRI or launching AI-driven tools to make healthcare more accessible. When your vision is grounded in a powerful “why,” the how and what naturally fall into place. How to Find (or Refine) Your Own “Why”: 1. Reflect on the Gap: Which urgent problem fires you up enough to devote years of your life to solving it? 2. Collaborate with Your Team: Your people will help you see blind spots and strengthen your mission statement. 3. Embed It Everywhere: From product roadmaps to marketing, ensure each step aligns with your core belief. Pro Tip: If you can’t sum up your startup’s purpose in a single sentence, it’s time for a deeper conversation. Your Turn: Drop a line below about the “why” driving your venture. How does that purpose shape your day-to-day decisions? #PurposeDriven #SerialEntrepreneur #StartupWisdom #HOPPR #WhyMatters

Founders, we need to talk. Your startup isn’t “revolutionizing ecosystems” or “empowering synergies” (whatever that means). If I need a PhD and a decoder ring to understand what you do, we’ve got a problem. Clarity is what inspires. Clarity builds trust. Clarity sells. If you can’t explain the problem you’re solving in one clear sentence, how do you expect anyone else to care? Investors? Confused. Customers? Scrolling past. Team members? Wondering why they joined. I get it. Impact startups are driven by purpose. You’re tackling big, complex issues. Climate change, inequality, biodiversity loss…these are heavy topics. But being “big-picture” doesn’t mean being vague. Your pitch isn’t a TED Talk. Save the poetry for your personal blog. Try this instead: 1️⃣ What’s the problem? Be specific. “People waste too much” is weak. “1.3B tons of food rots annually while millions go hungry” hits harder. 2️⃣ How are you solving it? No jargon. No buzzwords. Pretend you’re explaining it to your 12-year-old cousin. 3️⃣ Why does it matter? This is where your story inspires action. When you’re clear, people lean in. They see themselves in your solution. They become your biggest advocates. Drop the vague mission statements. Be real. Be relatable. Your impact is only as powerful as your ability to communicate it. With purpose and impact, Mario

Have you ever stared at a blank page, stuck, trying to create a vision or mission statement for your company?  Or improve your current version? I believe your vision and mission must be built in the context of the problem you are facing and how you intend to solve it. Some quick #startup examples: At Blue Note, a digital therapeutics company, we knew that patients with cancer suffer from psychological distress like anxiety, depression, and fear; that distress worsened medical outcomes; and that there are not enough providers to treat affected patients - a huge problem. We also knew experts had created face-to-face cancer-specific interventions, but a lack of providers kept these interventions from clinical practice. Our vision to reduce the burden of cancer-related distress, and because our solutions would alway be digital therapeutics, our mission was to create a an FDA-approved digital therapeutic by digitizing the therapeutic experience created through validated face-to-face interventions. At Adjuvant Behavioral Health Inc, a behavioral health services company led by Josh Myers, PhD, LPC-S, we were focused on the same problem, so our vision was similar. The mission became to recruit, train, and connect #behavioralhealth providers to patients suffering from cancer-related distress.  The problem and the vision were similar to Blue Note's, but the context of the solution drove a different mission. At Elevate, we knew that patients with serious and life-limiting disease benefit from supportive and palliative care, but this type of care is often not available.  This is a huge problem considering the enormous cost of end-of-life care in America, which often worsens patient experience and rarely improves the outcome.  Our vision was a future in which patients with serious disease would have access to palliative care, and our mission became creating digital solutions which were proven to improve outcomes and decrease cost. So listen, if you’re a #startup founder or SMB leader, and you are struggling to improve your vision and mission, go back to the problem you are facing and how you intend to solve it: 1. State or restate the problem.  Make sure everyone understands it and capture all the details.  Has anything changed?  Are these changes quantifiable facts, market observations, or assumptions?  Make sure you understand the difference while updating your problem statement. 2. Has your team’s offering changed? Maybe you started as a #B2BSaaS company, but have slowly shifted to a #techenabled services company or vice versa. 3. Your #vision will likely be a future in which this problem is solved by your team providing your unique solution.  It should be bold and aspirational, but clear enough to guide future decisions and actions. 4. Your #mission is then to create that future by applying your team’s talents and leveraging your unique solution. Hope this helps get you started or unstuck! Strategists, what did I forget or gloss over?

𝐌𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝... The goal-setting algorithm saved me. 👇 When I launched my first startup, I had a vision but lacked a clear path. I stumbled, pivoted, and faced countless setbacks. Then, I discovered the power of structured goal-setting. Here’s how an algorithm changed everything: 1) Clarify the mission. ↳ Articulate the mission statement to understand its core purpose and values. My mission was clear: to bring peace of mind and seamless access to care for patients living with chronic diseases. 2) Identify key impact areas. ↳ Break down the mission into key areas where impact is intended (e.g., peace of mind, innovation, easy and cheap healthcare). 3) Set SMART objectives. ↳ Ensure these objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. 4) Define measurable objectives. ↳ For each key area, define specific, measurable objectives that embody the mission's impact. Each milestone became a stepping stone to success. 5) Develop a process. ↳ Determine the actions or strategies required to achieve each objective. I mapped out every step, from marketing campaigns to product enhancements. 6) Resource identification ↳ Identify the resources, tools, and methods necessary to carry out the process. Leveraging technology and a skilled team are crucial. 7) Feasibility check. ↳ Ensure the means are feasible, accessible, and aligned with the mission’s values and objectives. I regularly assessed our approach, ensuring alignment and feasibility. 9) Integrate objectives. ↳ Integrate the specific objectives into a cohesive goal statement that reflects the intended impact. This unified our efforts and kept the team focused. 10) Validate and refine. ↳ Validate the alignment between the goal statement, the mission, and the identified objectives, process, and means. Continuous improvement was key. 11) Finalize the goal. ↳ Ensure the final goal statement is motivating, achievable, and accurately reflects the mission’s intent. This drove us forward, even during tough times. Implementing this algorithm was a game-changer. It provided clarity, direction, and measurable progress. Now, I apply it to every venture, ensuring success is not left to chance. Ready to crush your goals? Want a high-resolution copy? Follow and DM me!