For everyone who has ever worked in a large organization (and often in a smaller one), “vision”, “mission”, and “values” have probably lost their meaning and sound hollow. Artificially selected buzz words that – instead of helping us understand and incorporate the long-term company goals into our day-to-day work, provide the unnecessary pressure of having to include them in presentations, planning, annual evaluations.
If we set the negative connotation aside, the empty phrases of vision, mission, and values might be very useful in determining our long-term objectives along with the instruments and priciples that guide us in accomplishing said objectives. We can use this approach for business ventures as well as for personal projects.
People who come to me for career coaching or consultation are often at crossroads – trying to identify their next career goal. When we analyze their professional experience to date, we – again quite often – encounter lack of clarity about what the clients are drawn to, what are they good at, what are their values and priorities. To find the answers to these important questions, we do different excercises, assessments, and employ various self-discovery methods.
One of the approaches I enriched this process with in the last couple of months is the personal vision, mission, and values – through the lense of human design. This approach provides a sensible framework within which we can explore and plan, always within this context.
Even if we haven’t done any human design coaching, the preparation of vision, mission, and values is an effective instrument, which we use in determining the client’s next career or life goal.
Below are my vision, mission, and values – a good illustration of how the process works.
Vision (where)
I am striving toward a world where people are aligned with their purpose (life work) and are aware of what gives them meaning, where to direct their ambitions, how to start something new and transformational in line with their values.
Mission (how, method)
♦ I am here to understand the needs of others and to conceptualize, influence, and guide them in their moments of transition.
♦ I provide practical solutions by helping others complete the current cycle and initiate mutation for what comes next.
♦ By engaging in experiences – and after retreating and making sense of the experiences – to share them with others.
Values (how, principles)
♦ With loyalty, support, empowerment.
♦ By respecting and embracing the differences in opinions and interpretations of others.
♦ By using the emotional depth I’ve developed going through different personal experiences and crises.
♦ By contemplation and doing my inner work to achieve awareness and then sharing the result.
♦ By expressing individual insights.
These short and clear formulas help me to think critically about the projects I might get involved in and – combined with my decision making strategy – provide a sustainable framework for opportunity evaluation. They also give me a sense of value, purpose, and direction and I go back to them when when I am stuck and need a glimpse of the bigger picture.
If this approach sparked interest, please reach out and I will gladly be your guide in identifying your personal vision, mission, and values.
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