How can you align your startup team with your company's mission?

I’m an accountant so I personally love data. However, people love a good story more than just a list of data points or trends. We’ve evolved over the years with storytelling being one of our primary methods of communication. We had cave drawings that showed stories. This is how we are wired. So when we are trying to get everyone aligned, tell a good story.

Identify Problems: Personal Pain Points: Reflect on problems you encounter in your daily life. Solutions to personal inconveniences often have a market. Market Research: Conduct surveys, interviews, or online research to identify common issues faced by people. Analyze existing products/services and find areas for improvement. Explore Trends and Innovations: Industry Trends: Stay updated on industry trends and emerging technologies. Look for gaps where current solutions are insufficient. Innovations: Explore cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, or IoT. Innovations in these fields can inspire unique startup ideas.

I refer to this as "the architect versus the engineer" relationship. Our company can provide us a mission or vision. However, the tough portion of that vision is sorting out all of the out of sight technicalities need in order to achieve that vision. Engaging and briefing our team on the courses of action we take and the specific reasons behind them is key.

Share your "why" with the team. Doing so through storytelling in not only powerful, but it helps your team to see your authenticity. Invite them to share their why for wanting to part of the team is valuable as well. You'll get to see what motivates and drives them, allowing you as a leader to nurture and develop them along the way to realizing the vision.

Those who join a startup, especially in the earliest stages of growth and development, can be less risk-aversive. This is great because they can bring energy, new ways of looking at obstacles, and are usually not shy of taking chances on new ideas. They can offer creative viewpoints that will be beneficial to your team. Keeping them on-plan may be more of a challenge for you. Make sure that you communicate your mission clearly, if you have one already well laid out. Channel their energy into finding creative ways to build on and develop your shared vision. They were ready to take a chance by joining what is likely an unproven concept, they are likely there because they share your vision and your company values.

In my opinion, most mission statements are too long and broad to be memorable or useful in daily decision making. A great mission statement will contain 3 things. An economic objective, a deadline for completion, and a reason to believe in the work. The economic objective and deadline will inspire action internally. The reason to believe, often only 1 sentence, is shared broadly to drive culture and inspire commitment from partners and clients.

I agree but, would separate values from mission and vision. Values are likely to remain constant attracting a team who shares ideals. Many time bound missions will be completed as the business grows and evolves moving toward a future vision that may expand over time.

Involve Your Team: Team Input: Encourage team members to provide input on how the mission can be better integrated into daily tasks. Their insights can enhance alignment. Feedback Loops: Create channels for regular feedback. Understand their concerns and suggestions, and address them promptly. Training and Development: Continuous Learning: Invest in training programs that reinforce the mission's values. Help your team develop skills and knowledge aligned with your startup's goals. Leadership Development: Nurture leadership qualities within your team. Empower them to embody the mission and inspire others.

Make sure your mission is realistic and meaningful. Most companies have some type of mission statement, so did Enron... If it is just a bunch of fluff to fill a space, they will know and it will be treated as such. We have 6 mission statements and each one is backed by a small short, to the point paragraph. Many problems and decisions are weighted against our statements to make sure they are aligned. Get others involved and let your team see that you live and breath your mission statement.