MANIFESTO MOTIVATION. Is the MVV still relevant?

What do you think of when you hear the word Manifesto? A call to action, an inspired movement?

Manifestos are best known for political movements, but why aren’t they used more in business?

Don’t get me wrong, the good old-fashioned Mission, Vision, Values (MVV) is still powerful, but if it’s just something you write down, laminate, throw in a drawer never to be seen again, it won’t be a rallying cry for your business or yourself.

Here’s the thing, although both are crafted to bring people together behind a cause, I believe manifestos are more fluid, tell a better story and motivate on a bigger scale- think “I Have A Dream” by Martin Luther King. There are no real rules you need to stick to, it doesn’t need to be a set number of words, and you don’t need to use a specific structure. It's about connecting to something bigger.

So what if we change things up and call it a manifesto instead of a mission?

Why it's important

Having a manifesto can be inspiring because it’s a way to instill confidence in a team, it becomes a guide for partners, and even a personal statement about where you want to lead a company. It creates a common goal and a common vision. 

And believe me- it matters. According to World Economic Forum, a ‘sense of purpose’ in work is the second most important criteria for millennials considering a job, after salary and given this generation will make up the majority of the workforce in the coming years, it’s essential for future growth.

Here are some considerations to get you started.

First, answer the question “Who are we?” This helps the leader and the team see themselves, through the lens of what everyone brings to the table to support business growth.

Second, grab a notebook and write “I believe...” at the top of a blank page, then think of five or ten ways to complete the statement. On the next page, write “I want to...” and fill in the blanks with ways that you’d change the world. Finally, write “I know this to be true...” and record words of wisdom. 

Finally, describe the intended impact or outcome. This answers the question “So what?” If we are successful in our work, what would be the result? How are you going to win the hearts and minds of our customers? What do we care about? What makes us different?

Something to keep in mind. This isn’t a one and done type of thing. It’s a collaboration, requires deep reflection and may take some time to bring it to life. And that’s okay. This will be your guiding purpose for you who you serve, how you scale, and who you hire and work with. It will be the framework on how you move into the future.

So what will your manifesto be?