In the rush to scale, sell, or simply survive, it’s easy to treat mission, vision, and values as branding wallpaper—nice to have, rarely revisited. But when done right, they’re not just statements. They’re your compass.
At learnleadgrow, we’ve seen it time and again: the businesses that thrive are the ones that know what they stand for, where they’re headed, and how they behave when no one’s watching. Simon Sinek called it back in 2009 and it resonates just as much today as it did 16 years ago.
So how do you get there? It starts with knowing your own values.
🔍 Step One: Know What Drives You
Forget the corporate jargon. Start with you.
- Peak moments: When did you feel most proud, fulfilled, or “in flow”? What made those moments matter?👉 These moments often reflect values like achievement, connection, creativity, or integrity.
- Deal-breakers: What behaviours make you bristle or disengage? It could be micromanagement, or a lack of support from others, exclusion or disrespect. What do you refuse to compromise on? 👉 Your non-negotiables often point to values like autonomy, honesty, or fairness
- Decision audit: Look at the big calls you’ve made - career moves, partnerships, even football allegiances (yes, even choosing whether to manage Wigan or Bolton on a Football Manager save counts). What did you prioritise? What did you walk away from? 👉 This reveals values like growth, loyalty, impact, or playfulness
These patterns reveal your personal values. Not the ones you think you should have - but the ones you actually live by.
🧠 Step Two: Define Your Mission, Vision & Values
Once you’ve mapped your values, it’s time to zoom out:
- Mission: Why do you exist? What problem are you solving, and for whom?
- Vision: Where are you heading? What does success look like in 5–10 years?
- Values: How do you behave, especially under pressure?
These aren’t just for your website footer. They’re for hiring, onboarding, decision-making, and culture-building. They’re the difference between momentum and drift.
But, instead of just naming values, describe how they show up in your life:
- “I value curiosity, and I express it by asking better questions than most people expect.”
- “I value integrity, and I show it by saying what I mean, even when it’s uncomfortable.”
💬 Real Talk from the Field
We recently asked a founder to describe their business as a person. They thought about this for a few seconds, then said:
"She’s sharp, warm, and doesn’t suffer fools (disclaimer: actual words may have been slightly different....). She’s the kind of person who remembers your birthday and your EBITDA."
That’s values in action. That’s brand with backbone.
🚀 Ready to Define Yours?
Whether you’re a founder, advisor, employee, or sector lead, your compass matters. So here’s your challenge:
Take 30 minutes this week to map your personal values. Then draft your mission, vision, and values in plain English. No fluff. Just clarity.
Call to Action
Need a framework or sounding board? That’s what learnleadgrow is here for.
📩 Drop us a line - we’ll help you turn insight into action.
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