Most people think purpose simply answers the question of “why are you here?” or “what is your mission?” But the new way of defining purpose is so much more.

Unlike a vision statement that gets created by a marketing department and gets put on posters or mugs, this is all about the dialogue and exploring similarities and differences and landing on where you align.

Why bother with exploring the purpose of our team?

• Purpose can provide guidance
• It can bring the team together and align them
• Individuals can better understand what the team is together beyond each of their roles

If the majority of the team doesn’t think it’s worth their time, don’t.

Cool note: If you have at least two team members who are passionate, hopeful, or feel this process is worthy, your chances of success increase 2 to 3 times.

Creating a Team Purpose Statement

Key Components and Process

A way to enter into thinking about your team’s purpose is by asking yourselves and sharing your response to the following questions. 

• What might be the value of creating a team purpose statement? (a.k.a. Why bother?)
• What do we hope to accomplish by having a purpose statement?
• What will happen if we have a team purpose statement and do not fulfill it?

The ultimate goal is creating a blue jean, less formal version, a statement that uses that uses words that are unique and special to the team. 

Be wary of statements that use generic corporate words that you think others will approve of. Remember the statement is for you and your team only. You can decide later if you’d like to share it, but that is not the focus now.

Team Purpose Statement Examples

• Help improve the health of our customer.
• Together we don’t need name tags or org charts — we work as a trust-based team to unleash the potential of all our teams and create a positive environment to advance our member’s mission!
• We will feel proud of our leadership team when we collectively lead with purpose and clarity and develop an organization that is rich in culture and deep in talent, that engages, excites, and brings joy to our customers.
• We will feel proud of our Board 3 years from now by creating the world’s best operations team, the core engine of Company ABC, driving extraordinary impact on the business, people, communities and the planet!

Activity | Team Brainstorm

Instructions: Review the above information with your team. Then brainstorm answers to the facilitation questions as a group.

Duration:10-15 minutes

Facilitation Questions:

• What might be the value of creating a team purpose statement? (a.k.a. Why bother?)
• What do we hope to accomplish by having a purpose statement?
• What will happen if we have a team purpose statement and do not fulfill it?