Mission vs. Vision: What’s the Difference?
In a previous video, I gave some advice on how to write a mission statement. However, there is a lot of confusion between the mission versus the vision of an organization. I mentioned this difference briefly in the video blog, but here is a table that will help you gain greater clarity between the two. If you are still confused, please watch our video “Mission-Vision-Values: The Foundation of Every Great Company“, or contact me directly. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you and help you gain the clarity you need as a business leader.
| Mission | Vision | |
|---|---|---|
| Answers | Why? | What? |
| Definition | Statement | Snapshot |
| Length | Short | Long |
| Purpose | Informs | Inspires |
| Activity | Doing | Seeing |
| Source | Head | Heart |
| Order | First | Second |
| Effect | Clarifies | Challenges |
Mission answers the question “Why do we exist?” Vision answers the question “What will the future look like as we fulfill our mission? What will be different?” While mission is about today, vision is about the future, what we will become.
Your mission can and should be written in a short, concise statement. It should pass the “T-shirt” test, meaning, it should be able to be printed on a t-shirt and still be readable. The vision needs to be more than a statement. It should be a description. This description may be a paragraph or a whole page. It should paint a picture of the future that will come to be as we carry out our mission.
Download our FREE Ebook “Mission, Values, Vision: The Comprehensive Guide to Creating the Mission, Values, and Vision For Your Company.”
Do NOT Have Two Statements!
Some books and consultants encourage business and organizational leaders to write two statements, a mission statement and a vision statement. However, when companies have two statements those statements begin to compete with each other and no one remembers either. Also, employees typically fail to see or value the difference between the two statements.
So I recommend writing ONE statement, and make that your mission statement. Once you have clarity around your mission, then you are ready to dream about the future and how it will be different. That’s your vision! To read more about vision see our index of posts about vision.
Continue to Grow as a Leader
If you’re interested in continuing to grow as a leader let me encourage you to download our FREE ebook “Mission, Values, Vision: The Comprehensive Guide to Creating the Mission, Values, and Vision For Your Company.” This will help you increase your leadership capacity and impact! Also, you may consider engaging a coach. An experienced coach will help you grow faster and stronger! Contact us if you want some guidance in implementing your mission and vision at your organization!
Download our FREE Guide to developing the Mission, Values, and Vision of your organization
Akwa-mfon - July 16, 2016
I appreciate every bit of your coaching technique, but please i want know how to measure our Mission statement by our Vision statement
AMIT KUMAR SINGH - August 20, 2016
Dear Sir/Mam,
I want to know ,how to write own mission & vission statement …
plz give me some ideas…..
Thnx & Regards
khuahuppeng - August 29, 2016
Sir, I want to write The important of mission, The Biblical foundation of Mission, What major can we learn from today and What is the mission approach (or) Relevant in today context. pls could you share me your idea?
Respected sir,i'm cconfused.pls i'm interested to know how to write vision and mission statements. - November 15, 2016
For business purpose.
Nkonwa godfrey - December 10, 2016
Can a company glow up with a mission without vision?
Rakesh - December 24, 2016
I want to understand mission and vision how can i work on it and make
Okoh Albert - December 28, 2016
How can you recognise a failed mission?
neil - January 19, 2017
how to make onw vision and mission statements?
Otto Raab - January 26, 2017
Thanks Glenn for the tips!
Otto Raab
ahsan - March 29, 2017
this is a great Idea !!
Bernadine Ocampo - February 22, 2017
Is your free ebook available for the Philippines?
ayah - March 6, 2017
I will be responsible for the academic office in our physiology society …. i need some tips on how to write my own mission and vision regarding the academic office …….. thanks
Fatimah - April 30, 2017
What are the difference between vision and mission
what are the purpose of vission and mission in life and my own life
ojo - May 4, 2017
pls how can I get a mission and vision for my cleaning company and the picture of how the future will look like if our mission is accomplish. thanks sir
Robert Abalungo - May 6, 2017
this helped a lot. thanks.
emmanuel - May 9, 2017
interesting
Pollen Ruth May 26 2017 - May 26, 2017
very helpful
njingun joel awa - August 2, 2017
am believing to have a dream of opening a school .pls dont know how to go about its mision and vision statement
Mary hina - August 11, 2017
sir how can I write own mission and vision for my soft ware company. .
FATIN NABILA - October 10, 2017
its helps me a lot ! Thank you !
TL722718 - October 18, 2017
I do believe this topic is being misunderstood a lot. It can simply be said:
Vision – where do you want to go?
Mission – How do you get there?
David Isaac - October 25, 2017
Thanks for the thoughtful discussion. I found the table comparing mission and vision particularly useful.
Donnell Sulek - October 25, 2017
Fine suggestions and extremely true. One of the vital important things bloggers, or almost any enterprise, are capable of doing is never surrender. Even though instances are powerful it is essential to be there to your viewers and prospects since they will be gonna just remember you in the good light as soon as issues get much higher and you can be rewarded with your hard works.
BENEDICT JAMES - November 21, 2017
Very good info. I wld love to visit your office if u can help me..
timothy kachigwada - November 27, 2017
Which come first : policy, mission and vision ….and why???
Sri Ganesh - February 12, 2018
Thank you for the easy comparison between mission and vision
Emmanuel Ete - May 17, 2018
Thank you very much sir, how do I write develop a good mission & vision statement for my business sir?