IT Solutions Providers: Clarifying Your Personal MVV, Part 1

By Scott Scrogin, President, HTG Peer Groups

It's impossible to lead others until you lead yourself. The core to self-leadership is clarity around your MVV (Mission, Vision, and Values). Note: This is the first in a three-part series on Clarifying your personal MVV. In May we’ll talk about personal Vision and in June we’ll look at personal Values.

APRIL: Developing your personal mission or The Personal Mission is Not Impossible

Do you know Jason Bourne? He’s the fictional main character in Robert Ludlam’s books and movie sequels including The Bourne Identity, Supremacy, and Ultimatum. Essentially Bourne is tormented by losing his memory due to a secret government program. He wages intricate struggles with government agencies and special agents to uncover the truth. He is on a mission, and it’s not impossible.

As my wife would tell you, I’m a big fan of Jason Bourne (and Matt Damon’s return as Bourne in 2016). I respect the clarity with which he sees the world. He knows why he gets up each day, he has perspective on his future, and he applies a set of values to his actions. He has a mission, vision and values (MVV) that are unique, ingrained, and lived each day. Bourne’s Why is clear, something we may lack at times.

But while Jason Bourne — and you, I hope — have a mission, vision, and values, Bourne acts independently as a stealthy assassin (but a good guy). The rest of us must lead, manage and coach ourselves and others to achieve individual goals and the objectives of our organizations. We’re not covert spies operating in the shadows of life. We’re in the trenches each day collaborating and leading ourselves on to the next initiative.

This post looks at personal mission as part of MVV. Before you have Borne-like flashbacks to painful boardroom sessions crafting a company mission with phrases like “foster synergies,” “best in class service,” and “differentiated paradigms,” take a breath. The personal mission statement is yours and serves you. It’s a one sentence statement that is clear and easily remembered. Don’t like “mission”? Then try “purpose” or “mantra.” The statement typically addresses 1) what you want to do, 2) who you want to be (or help), and 3) what result or value will you provide.

There are many tools and self-questioning techniques to help build a mission statement. For starters, you might ask yourself:

• What gives me the greatest joy? What about it provides the joy?
• What were my favorite things to do when I were younger? What about now? Why?
• What message would I deliver if given the opportunity to speak to a large group? What group?
• What are some challenges and difficulties I’ve overcome? How did I do it?
• What are my strengths, passions and values? How can I use them to help others?

If you have read this far, it is for more than a passing interest in Jason Bourne. You’re thinking about actually doing something like writing or updating your mission. So write down some action words that matter to you (educate, empower, help, teach, etc.). List out who you can help. Specify an end goal in terms of who will benefit. Then combine it into a statement you believe. Here’s my example:

“I exist to build a life of meaning, a family of love, and leaders with legacies they value.”

For me, I know my “true north” is to build meaning, love, and leaders with legacies. These three elements of my mission provide a fundamental filter to make choices and a map to lead myself in the right direction.

Must you have a personal mission statement to lead a full life? I don’t think so. I’d argue everyone has one based on the life they lead … it just may not be intentionally clarified and written down. The simple exercise of writing and reviewing your mission statement can help you be a more clear and effective self-leader. Others are depending on you to lead yourself before leading them (think: leadership by example). Accept the mission to define your mission.

Creating your personal mission statement is far less complex than a spy thriller movie plot. As Stephen Covey said, “A mission statement is not something you write overnight. But fundamentally, your mission statement becomes your constitution, the solid expression of your vision and values. It becomes the criterion by which you measure everything else in your life.”

Have a mission that’s not classified as top secret? I’d love to see it. We’ll look at vision and values in upcoming posts.

Scott Scrogin is president of HTG Peer Groups. Prior to joining the HTG staff, he spent 12 years in IT service delivery, training and channel development. His memberships in peer groups and other communities contributed to his understanding of the power of peers. He is passionate about helping others achieve their goals and potential in life and business. Scrogin enjoys sharing his lessons learned, and learning from other leaders. You can reach him at sscrogin@htgpeergroups.com or on Twitter @ScottScrogin.