The Truth about Mission Statements

I just went on a management training course - even though I don't actually have anyone reporting to me any more (for which, much thanks). It closed with an exercise where we drew lots - one person was the CEO, the rest were managers or workers. The task was to move an object between two locations, without touching it. The workers were the only ones allowed to use the tools with which the object could be manipulated. And they were blindfolded.

I drew a manager slot; and at one point in the proceedings, we had the 'CEO' shouting "We have to move in that direction", and he pointed to indicate the direction. Not a lot of use to the workers.

And that was a good mission statement - saying exactly what the broad strategy was.