Abstract
M.Phil.
The purpose of the study was to investigate the importance of designing a
mission statement as part of the personal leadership process. The problem
investigated in the study was that people have visions but lack the vehicle to turn
the visions into reality. The problem arises because people do not take the time
to see if the visions they have and the goals they set are aligned with their values
and principles. They lack the vehicle that will keep them focused on what is
important on their way to their vision, namely their values and principles. The
general aim of this study was to clarify the concept of what a mission statement
is and to investigate designing and Jiving the mission statement within the
personal leadership paradigm and process.
The research was descriptive in nature. The research methods used included a
word and concept analysis to clarify the concepts central to the study. A
literature study was conducted to identify the importance of a mission statement
in the personal leadership process and to clarify the steps in designing a mission
statement.
The follmving are the most important fmdings of the study:
• The following definition was constructed based on the word- and concept
analysis:
A mission statement is a written tool that guides one in
making the correct choices, based on the core values and
principles that form the passion of one's being, to which one
is committed, for lvhich one is prepared to work hard and for
which one must be prepared to sacrifice.
• It was emphasized that the mission statement is an integral part of the
personal leadership process.
• The mam characteristics of a m1ss10n statement that were identified
included that a mission statement should be brief, easily understood and
memorized and must encompass one's most basic principles and values.
• The process of designing a mission statement was concluded from the
various processes that were identified by authors in the disciplines of
business, religion and personal leadership. The design process was
divided in two phases namely the preparatory phase in which one does a
self search in respect of one's values, visions and life roles, and secondly
the designing phase in which a mission statement is formulated, finalized
and maintained.