Vision-Mission-Values Trilogy

Today, many organizations have Vision, Mission and Values statements. Rather than inspiriting the corporate culture, they hang on company walls or gather dust in plaques on desks as tired symbols of unpotentialised possibilities.

The purpose of a Vision-Mission-Values Trilogy is to fuel and inspire a cohesive culture based on trust, respect and a shared sense of purpose. The VMV Trilogy focuses aspiration and creative imagination on the desired future, concentrates mental energy on planning and daily execution of the core business, and frames decisions and fosters behavior on the basis of core values.

Vision describes the future state that the organization is striving to achieve—what it wants to be when operating at full spectrum. The vision illustrates the preferred future in terms of fulfillment for customers, employees, society and future generations.

Mission defines the organization’s core business, often including its major products and services. For it to be effective there must be alignment with core competencies. The mission maintains the focus of energy on the core business and serves as a source of motivation for stakeholders.

Values are rules for living. They reflect deeply held beliefs and are seen in everyday behavior. The purpose of core values is to create a code of behavior that builds a cohesive culture, supports the vision and mission, and inspires the best in people – “the better angels of our nature.”

In order to sustain a full spectrum culture it is necessary to review and possibly revise the current mission, vision and values in light of the full spectrum. If none exists, we work with senior leaders to create a new and vital vision-mission-values trilogy that empowers everyone and provides the guidelines to drive everyday decision making, behavior and relationships with all stakeholders—from co-workers to customers, with suppliers and other partners, to the environment and future generations.