Many people think that the culture, mission, and vision of a company are one and the same.
Imagine being at an office party. You overhear a group of colleagues passionately discussing something. As you get closer, you realize they’re trying to pinpoint what exactly makes their workplace unique.
Is it the inspiring company mission, the visionary goals, or perhaps the vibrant company culture?
Once you start working in a team or for a company, you will soon notice that there are different currents leading you forward. Some are more like maps and GPS if we think about the mission and the vision, and others are like the vessels that take us to the destination with our crew or the company culture.
Defining the Concepts
What makes these three concepts so different yet so important for every company? Let’s dive deeper into what are the defining moments that set apart culture, mission and vision.
Company Culture
Picture a typical day at Google. What springs to mind? Maybe it’s the innovative work environment with the slide, the casual dress code, or the collaborative atmosphere. That’s the essence of company culture.
It’s the character and personality of the company. Culture is the environment that surrounds you at work all the time. It’s the mood and the tone of the organization everyone can feel, even if it’s not written anywhere, officially.
So, Google’s company culture might look unusual to the outside world, but it’s what makes this place so innovative, creative, and free-thinking.
Mission
Now, think about LinkedIn’s mission: “To connect the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful.”
A mission statement like this defines the company’s business, its objectives, and its approach to reaching those objectives. It’s simply a declaration of why the company exists. While company culture can change and grow, the mission usually stays the same, guiding the workforce through turbulent times.
Can it change? Yes. But, most missions are there to be the constant reminder of why we do the things we do at the workplace.
Vision
Vision statements, on the other hand, are all about the future. Tesla’s vision to “create the most compelling car company of the 21st century by driving the world’s transition to electric vehicles” is a prime example.
Vision is often based on the mission and shows what the future will look like if the company successfully navigates toward its mission. Visions normally should be inspiring and optimistic. They also influence the company culture and create a positive vibe in the workplace.
The Interplay and Differences
As you can see, the three concepts are completely different yet codependent and intertwined.
While the mission is the core purpose, the vision is where the company aspires to be, and the culture is how the organization and its people behave and work towards these goals.
Comparing and Contrasting
- Origin: Culture is often organic and evolving, while mission and vision are typically created by leadership;
- Focus: Mission is about the present objectives, vision is future-oriented, and culture is about the here and now – the daily operations and ethos;
- Change: Some elements are more susceptible to change than others. Visions can evolve as goals are achieved, and missions might shift with market dynamics. Cultures can change also, but they have a tendency to evolve slowly and over time.
How They Influence Each Other
A strong mission statement can shape company culture, instilling a sense of purpose. An ambitious vision can inspire and drive a culture of innovation and persistence. Conversely, a robust company culture can fuel the mission, turning aspirations into reality.
Crafting and Evolving These Elements in Your Business
Developing a strong company culture, a compelling mission and an inspiring vision is an art. Most theories support the claim that leaders have a vital role to play here. Leaders usually define the mission and vision but also shape the company culture with their actions and decisions.
When you think about what really means to describe company culture, you know it’s more than setting up a cool office space or organizing fun events.
Company culture is the environment where all employees feel valued and motivated. Not all businesses have the budget for elaborate team-building activities or modern office spaces with bars, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have a vibrant company culture. It’s the personality of business that comes to the outside world and shows as a culture that’s both seen and felt.
In the same vein, a mission should be clear, concise, and powerful. It should resonate with every employee, from the CEO to the newest intern. Mission statements might be written by leaders but they also can be inspired by a vibrant company culture.
And lastly, visions should be ambitious and achievable goals you have for the company. It’s a clear vision of the future and the way things should be when culture and mission work together.
Practical implementation of these three elements will bring up employee engagement. Employees who feel aligned with their company’s values and goals are more likely to be satisfied and productive. So, in some way, it’s a magic circle of innovation, creativity and dedication.
Conclusion
Remember the scene from the beginning of this article when the employees were debating what makes their company unique? The answer lies in understanding the distinct yet intertwined nature of company culture, mission, and vision. Each plays a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s identity and success.
You now know that they might sound completely different or even the same to some, but there is something uniquel about each element that makes it an irreplaceable component of successful businesses.