Best practices to draft a mission statement at a retreat

[Ria Baeck]

copied from the emaillist, October - November 2014:

My Fellow Hosts,

I am leading a vision retreat for one of my client companies who is a technology cooperative operating in multiple countries around the world. We will have worker-owners in the room and on video conference. Their top desired outcome from the retreat is to draft their mission statement. I proposed that we assign prep work before the retreat to start drafting the statement, at least identify the concepts or elements they want their statement to address. They prefer to come in without the prep work and to draft in collaboratively in the session. 

I am concerned about this being the best use of our time together and want to reach out the AoH community here for guidance on best practices to facilitate this session. If anyone can share what has worked (or not worked) in a similar situation that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

-Shawn

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Hi,

We recently did a retreat where we drafted our Mission Statement. I used storytelling - everyone of the participants (6 People) told their story. I visualized that and together we unveiled the common motives of the participants. In the end we came up with a Vision Statement that has been signed by over 200 employees so far:

We do our work the way we do it so our grandchildren can - and want to - work here.

The Statement works perfectly for my company and I can fully recommend collective Story harvesting for that.

If anyone is interested I am happy to send the documentation and a guideline on storytelling.

Have a wonderful evening,

Carina

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In similar situations, I have used images (specifically VisualsSpeak Images however any images from magazines, etc. will work) and asked participants to select one or two images that speak to them about the core purpose and “reason to be” of their organization. The images open up new perspectives and can help to transcend cultural differences.  Depending on the number of participants, they either all share their images and words or talk about them in small groups.  The video conference people can be a group or can be matched with participants in the room.

 

I then share the definition of a mission statement: 

• We exist to … (our purpose is to):
• For … (primary customers listed in order of significance):
• By … (doing what core services)

 

Building upon the words and images, small groups then write a mission statement using the sentence stems above.  We share, discuss and merge the common elements of the statements and explore differences.  A mission statement that resounds with all, typically emerges.

 

I find that people can work collaboratively in the room, and without prep work, to develop a mission statement.  The discussion is so important and can be lost if pre-work is too heavily relied upon. Works for me, and I hope it helps you.  good luck,

 

Barb

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Thank you Barb,

that reminds me of the book by Simon Sinek I am currently reading „Start with WHY“

Shawn, so don’t forget to ask them WHY they are doing what they are doing the way they are doing it :)

Carina

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Good morning,

your can download the PDF here https://www.dropbox.com/s/czifa62d1qpab53/Handout%20Innovation%20Co...

It is in German :/ but I added comments in English. If you want to print it, I designed it as a A5 brochure, printed on both sides. I would love to here from you, your comments and where you apply (and how) the methods.

Have a wonderful day (it’s warm and sunny at the sunny side of Upper Austria where I live)

Carina