Mission statement translated into managerial, staff goals

Although mission statements have the power to unify, this power will be limited unless the values the statements affirm are translated into language that relates to employees' work. St. Joseph Hospital and Health Care Center, Tacoma, WA, has developed a mission awareness project to assist staff in developing goals that reflect the organization's values. The program includes managerial-level discussions of mission goal setting followed by sessions during which the employees of each department create work objectives based on mission values. Evaluation of the program is conducted quarterly. Plans include incorporating the mission effectiveness program into job descriptions, employees evaluations, and the budget process.