Mission Statements Need Trade Offs

When I look at company mission statements, one that stand out to me is the early Facebook mission:

Move fast, break things.

This stands out to me because:

• it’s short
• there’s a point of view
• it says what we do
• it says what we won’t do
• empowering

Length

A short mission statement is necessary - more things happen to us and it’s easier to forget more. Keeping it short helps. In this case, it’s only four words, and common words at that!

Point of View

This statement is for a specific group of people, those at Facebook. You can adopt this statement and everyone would think you’re Facebook.

What We Do

In four words, those that represent this statement will do something? What? In this case: move fast and break things.

What Won’t Happen

Conversely, this mission also gives a hint at what won’t happen - such as: keeping things safe, reliability, standing still.

Why?

Because in order to move fast, you aren’t standing still. You aren’t reliable by breaking things.

Empowering

Finally, this statement is empowering. The statement gives energy those acting from it. Others can use the statement to hold others accountable to it.

Other Statements

When comparing this to other statements, these qualities are missing - because missions statements want it all.

In reality, there’s always a trade-off happening with a decision - mission statements that are all upside, well, just aren’t realistic because with every decision, there’s a trade off.

Having a real mission statement that embodies these qualities is essential: empowering, having a point of view, a forcing function of what to do, a disregard of other things, with a point of view, and all wrapped up in a short memorable phrase that’s simple.

That’s the kind of mission statement I dream of making.

I don’t know where I read this idea about company mission statements, DHH’s article definitely touches on this.

Life’s too short for bland missions.