In their book The Leadership Secrets of Santa Claus, The Walk the Talk Company list several traits of leadership and use a narrative by Santa himself to describe those traits and the importance in an organization.  While I had this book for quite some time before I read any portion of it, when I did pick it up I was impressed with the delivery of the information. Using a fictitious organization (the North Pole), that everyone from our childhood has a perception of, the authors use generalizations of each trait of leadership that the reader can conceptualize. Then, hopefully each person can relate that trait in his or her own organization.

One of the first traits the authors write about is mission. Perhaps you have attended conferences or had denominational (or organizational) leaders come into to your ministry/organization and remember the first thing they spoke of was mission. It matters not what industry or ministry you are in, you must know your mission – Why are we here? – What do we hope (or plan) to accomplish? Without a mission you have nothing to aim for. Without it you may find yourself and your organization stretched in ten different directions, draining resources without forward advancement. Mission brings focus to your organization.

First, do people in your organization know the true mission of the organization? Can they quote the mission statement (if you have one) or at least accurately paraphrase the mission in their own words? If not, some training might be in order. Make it fun and even exciting. Sponsor friendly competitions, offer small, but fun rewards for learning and using a mission statement inside the organization.

A second point of value is for each person to know and understand his or her part in fulfilling the mission. Do your employees, volunteers, members, know and understand exactly how they are specifically needed to fulfill the mission. In many organizations members and employees are not aware of their direct contribution to fulfilling the mission of the organization. This lack of awareness leads to a non-willing approach to contribute. Equip and educate each person in the organization on their particular role – using his/her gifts and talents in leading the organization to fulfill its purpose.

A third point of value is for each individual, once they know their part in leading the organization to fulfill the mission, is to understand how the parts work together to accomplish the end result – fulfilling the mission. A team approach is always a best practice. Individuals can accomplish certain tasks. However, no one individual or group of individuals can accomplish the amount of a group working together as a team. You will see lights go on in people’s heads and a new found effort at teamwork when you can successfully demonstrate how each piece fits together and together everyone accomplishes more.

And lastly for this writing, keep the mission in front of the people. Whether your mission is building thing-a-ma-jigs, or fulfilling the Great Commission, the mission needs to be ever present in front of the people of your organization. In fact it needs to be publicized beyond the walls of your organization. This is how you grow your organization. Continually find ways to keep it in front of the people of your organization; in print, video, musically, visually, verbally. Utilize people and means that reaches across the various learning styles of those in your organization.

Mission is only one thing, but it is a very important and critical piece of successfully accomplishing the undertaking of your organization.

For more on this topic and how to assist your church or organization contact George Yates and visit SonC.A.R.E. Ministries.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!