dispatches from the new world of work

A Mission Statement Must, Circa 2009

Gerson Barbosa posted a Comment yesterday that included the following: "The mission statement of Johns Hopkins includes 'cultivate their capacity for life-long learning, to foster independent and original research, and to bring the benefits of discovery to the world.'"

It got me thinking. In our rapidly gyrating world (see the two Posts immediately above), learning-for-life is no longer an option. This is true of you at 6 or 26 or 46, and of me at 66 and my great pal Warren Bennis in his 80s. Moreover, explicit focus on "life-long learning" for everyone on board may be the most sustainable advantage an organization of any flavor can have.

Hence, I strongly suggest that "A commitment by all of us to accelerated lifelong learning," or some such be made a formal part of your mission statement. It deserves to be right up there with the likes of superior quality and profitability.

Tom Peters posted this on 01/14/09.

Comments

PLEASE ...

Trying to read the mission statements of most big institutions and corporations is like trying to swallow a horse pill with insufficient water.

If you want to discover how to word an effective mission statement, turn to TP Wire's Dec. 26, 2008 recommendation of a Boston Globe article of John Maeda and RISD. Now, that's the way to decide on a mission statement.

http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2008/12/25/a_captivating_force_at_risd_helm/

Posted by James H Shewmaker at January 14, 2009 3:15 PM

The only way to ensure 'life long learning' is to just do it! The first step for me in learning something new is to get myself confused - befuddled yet still with an inquiring mind. The past few years I have become increasingly befuddled about the impact of digital global networks on our C21st lives. I hope I have learnt a great deal about these new development but I am sure I have much more to comprehend and even more learning to do.

Here is just an inkling of what I think I know now that I did not know just 2 years ago about C21st digital networks as modern organisational forms.

Digital clusters are a new organising entity. They are still evolving so they are not that well understood. Over the past few years I have studied them forming on the web. I now have a framework I use to help me to better understand how and why they form. Clusters form on the web when people have open access to conversations through blogs, social networks, online media, etc. These clusters form quickly around a theme or a storyline: often they also implode just as quickly. Even if they are short lived these clusters have a lasting impact on opinions, ideas, and issue identification. From clusters of conversations we find a steady transition of ideas into prototypes for change and even solutions for issues. As an organising entity these digital clusters are free flowing even chaotic.

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at January 14, 2009 4:35 PM

If a mission statement defines who we are, what we do, and how we want to be perceived a commitment to lifelong learning is a must, as individuals and as an organization. Builds that culture of trust and continuous improvement that earns you the title "the best"!

Posted by Dave Wheeler at January 15, 2009 1:26 AM

It took me nine years to get my masters (three different universities with classes taken on different sides of the world) not because I was slow, but because I just liked continually taking classes. Oh yes, I was dutifully serving in the Air Force during that time.

Now after 10 years in the corporate world, the last 9 with a Fortune 500 company, I convinced them to let me take a year sabbatical (to end this May). It has been a year of deep diving into internet technology, IT management and software engineering with the purpose of renewing my knowledge and enthusiasm for my chosen field.

I had just completed James Surowiecki's "The Wisdom of the Crowds" and was motivated to read a bit more on management again. I looked over my collection of management books and picked out "The Pursuit of WOW!" Funny, in scanning it I don't remember much about it. The receipt is still in the book and it says 9/21/95. I had not read it!

About half way through it now. Great book and wonderfully relevant today. Has me alternately jazzed up and depressed at any given time. I work for one of those "WOW!" companies and we would all recognize it now as just another struggling company in this current economy. We are striving to be WOW! again.

However, I recognize the ideas are still on the money and it was the individuals in the company, not the brick and mortar, that made the difference.

Life long learning (and inspiration) are essential for me to stayed enthused about life.

Posted by Bruce Benson at January 17, 2009 12:02 PM

"Then let us all do what is right, strive with all our might toward the unattainable,
develop as fully as we can the gifts God has given us, and never stop learning."

--Ludwig van Beethoven

Posted by Judith Ellis at January 17, 2009 7:37 PM

"He has also set eternity in the hearts of men"
Ecclesiastes 3:11

Posted by gerson barbosa at January 20, 2009 1:26 PM

Absolutely beautiful and empowering quote. Thank you, Gerson.

Posted by Judith Ellis at January 21, 2009 11:32 AM