Why is Purpose Important in running an organisation?
As an organisation grows, volunteers or members are added and each person brings their own thoughts about how they believe they should behave and what the organisation should do for it’s community. Having a clear purpose that is shared and lived by the team means the organisation can attract and focus it’s members contributions in an agreed direction.
What you do is not the same as why you do it?
A purpose statement if it’s done correct communicates your organisation's WHY? The reason your organisation exists? The difference you want to make from the work the organisation does? Your purpose statement is a useful tool for helping people understand the difference you are trying to make. It also enables you to connect with others on an emotional level. Check out this 3 min YouTube clip by Michael Jr. Unforgettable emotion!
Here's the why about your why
Knowing your why gives that extra energy, passion, to what you do. It makes areal difference if you believe it and your members, volunteers do too. A powerful articulation of your why will inspire action, that's why it's so necessary to Start with Why, check out this TED Talk by Simon Sinek. Get great at sharing your purpose statement, it should be short and easy to remember and can be used as an effective tag line. The best purpose statements are under 5 words and some are much less than this.
Review your vision
Does your existing vision articulate what you hope to accomplish as an organisation in the next 3 years? Is it positive, inspiring, slightly out of reach, – so not easily achieved and future oriented? If not, the following question can help you get to your vision - If your organisation was doing everything 100% right, what would your community look like as a result?
When you put your compelling purpose statement with your vision
Your purpose statement captures WHY you exist –the vision statement what you are aiming to do as an organisation. Specifically, what you do on a day-to-day basis in order to work towards your vision. When you put them both together, your purpose statement and your vision they make a compelling elevator pitch to your ideal customer of your organisation. It can be the first thing you share about your organisation, in that brief moment when you are introduced and have the full attention of the person you are talking to.
"I have had regular monthly coaching with Michelle for two years, I found Michelle kind and thoughtful, also analytical. It is helpful each session to review the numbers, budgeting and discuss forecasting with the different events that are occurring in the trust regularly. Each meeting our discussions resulted in myself as CEO to understand the numbers more and receive helpful tips towards improving our financial reporting to make them more readable and understandable to the board."
