A few days ago I had a conversation with a customer who needed some help figuring out how to best lead her team through the pandemic. Like so many of those that I’ve been talking with, she has a team that is worried about several things: their funding, the needs of those that they serve, and if they’ll make it to the other side of the crisis. 

While exploring her strategies I directed her to some of the most powerful guidance she could lean on. This guidance was customized for her team and could be found right under her nose: her organization’s mission, vision, and values, or what we call the Compass.

When I told her about this she basically said, “of course, I hadn’t thought of that.” 

Your mission, vision, and values are at the heart of your organization. They are “friends” that can provide grounded and inspired insights about how to lead through tough times.

Below are some specific ways you can engage your team with your Compass: 

• Staff and Board Meetings: Incorporate a 15-minute standing item on your relevant staff and board meetings to do one of the following:

  • Review your mission and/or vision statements and discuss how your organization is pursuing them.

  • Select one of your organization’s core values and have everyone take a moment to share how the value is being acted upon.

  • Discuss how these items are personally motivating.

• Staff Performance: Integrate your organization’s Compass into your regular one-on-ones and the annual review. 

• Job Descriptions and Responsibility Documents: If you’re hiring staff or selecting new board members then you’ll want to make sure that they’re aligned with your mission, vision, and values. Ensure that these elements are incorporated into your job descriptions and board responsibility documents. 

• Onboarding: Review the Compass in Mission Met Center as a component of your onboarding process for both new staff and board members. 

• Marketing and Communications: Highlight the mission, vision, and values on your website, newsletters, and other marketing collateral and communication. This can inspire both your team and your community. 

Implementing these activities can help you lead and guide your team more effectively. The benefit will be a team that has more trust, deeper relationships, and an even stronger commitment to your organization's important work during these difficult times.