Yes, it is possible to craft a core purpose statement in short order. A core purpose statement identifies why an entity exists. This process works for both an organization and an individual.
Here's what it takes.
STEP ONE
It all starts with a wall of perspective. You have one don't you? :-)
A wall of perspective is a gathering of information that answers the questions:
- Where have we been?
- How did we get to where we are now?
It allows us to begin to answer the question:
- Who are we at the core?
The definition of perspective is - the faculty of seeing all the relevant data in a meaningful relationship.
The key to perspective is SEEING ALL the RELEVANT data at once. This is where the wall of perspective comes into play. We can see it all at once. It allows us to see patterns and themes that point to who we are at the core. It gives us data to draw from as we craft our core statements.
In a group setting, it is important for all members to understand the journey -
- Where we have been
- How we got to where we are now
Take the time to walk through the journey of the organization
STEP TWO
Draft a list of all the verbs and nouns that show up in the wall of perspective.
Find all the verbs and list them on one side of a page.
Find all the nouns and list them on the other side of the sheet
STEP THREE
Pick the top three verbs and nouns that resonate with you and speak to the question of why the entity exists.
Here each member of the group is marking their top three choices for verbs and nouns.
Find concensus and use those as the top three.
STEP FOUR
Start generating sentences that use the verbs and nouns from the list.
Don't use all the verbs and nouns in one sentence - it will be meaningless and unremarkable.
Limit yourself to sentences of 14 words or less. We want the end result to be memorable and remarkable.
Generate sentences even if they seem trivial. Allow the creative process to flow. Feel free to change the verbs and nouns as you go if new ones come to mind that seem a better fit. There is a very good chance that the end result will not use any of the original verbs and nouns.
Be ruthless in getting the right words in the statement. You will feel it if the statement is ambiguous, or not specific enough. Don't let it stand if that is the case.
STEP FIVE
Try your final statement on. Do you see how the organization lives out this core purpose statement in everything they do that gives them meaning and purpose? Does it ring true?
Tweak the specific words in the phrase, and the arrangement of the words until you see it and sense it. You will know when you have it right.
Got it? Congratulations! A core purpose statement that is short, concise, memorable, and remarkable.
Now go live it out in everything you do!
