A mission statement as a statement of mastery
‘Set your sights on mastery, leave goals to the competition’ – TP
Very little is said in our world today about mastery. Tom teaches through his training for LifePlans™ and Strategic Operating Plans™ that the key to success is found in the key to mastery.
What is this concept of mastery? In the pre-industrial revolution days a master was someone who had gained status as an expert in his or her particular field. They were referred to as ‘master craftsman’. Today we pay a premium for a piece of art or furniture created by someone considered a master.
What is unique about their work that creates the title of master? Once Tom hired someone to hang a door who had been referred to him by a local shop as a master carpenter specific to doors. Tom watched as he carefully studied the door, the door frame and surrounding area. After about 30 minutes of just walking and looking, the master carpenter hung the door in about 15 minutes. Tom said it was a thing of beauty. The door swung effortlessly. As the carpenter was packing up Tom asked, “ How did you become a master ?”. The gentleman answered, never looking up, I first learned all that I could learn about wood, doors and hanging doors. Then I learned all of the steps as well as I could learn them. Finally I applied speed to all that I had learned. “ Tom summarizes it this way:
Learn all that you can of your craft
Practice the process for your craft
Become as efficient as you can at your craft
What would your vocation, your family life, your company look like if you endeavored to be the best with the gifts you are entrusted? How might this change how you approach outcome, your interaction with clients, employees, suppliers, critical partnerships?
I am not suggesting for consideration that mastery in some way places one above another. In fact I believe great masters are great servant-leaders. In the tradition of master gardening, a Japanese student isn’t even allowed to place the first stone on her own until ten years of study with a master has passed. Great sacrifice and service precludes great mastery.
Is there a connection between mastery and mission? If we understand our mission statement as our statement of purpose, it can be concluded it is our subject of mastery.
What is it that you purpose to do or accomplish? Isn’t this the point of a well thought out, compelling mission statement? While many books , seminars, and countless other means have been dedicated to the writing and crafting of mission statements, our process is pretty straightforward. Once we are in perspective, our purpose, our call to action, nearly writes itself. I have never experienced it taking more than 30 minutes to 1 hour to create a compelling statement of mission or purpose. Often I advise clients to live with it, wear it like an article of custom clothing and then adjust as necessary. I have yet to experience a complete rewrite, even years after the Strategic Operating Plan.
Our clear, articulate statement of mission becomes our charge for mastery.
Want to share your thoughts about mastery? Join the conversation at http://tmoore-foraclearview.blogspot.com . Also check out past Clear Views.
If you need assistance in discovering your personal or organizational purpose, let’s talk.
Tommy
