--- title: Mission Statements description: Do you have a 'mission statement' for your business? image: https://www.tonycaldwell.net/hubfs/Stock%20images/Couple%20meeting%20consultant%20for%20financial%20contract.jpeg --- [![Logo - TC](https://www.tonycaldwell.net/hubfs/Tony%20Caldwell/Logo%20-%20TC.png) ](https://www.tonycaldwell.net) - Type - Topic September 11, 2014 # Mission Statements Blog, entrepreneurship, strategy - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.tonycaldwell.net/blog/mission-statements) - [**](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?source=https://www.tonycaldwell.net/blog/mission-statements&text=Mission%20Statements) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.tonycaldwell.net/blog/mission-statements&title=&summary=&source=) - [**](mailto:?&subject=https://www.tonycaldwell.net/blog/mission-statements&body=https://www.tonycaldwell.net/blog/mission-statements) Do you have a "mission statement" for your business? Recently, we had a very talented, experienced and intelligent manager join our business. As she dug in to learning about our company, and our culture, she asked if we had a mission statement. I replied "no, I don't believe in them". I went on to say that I think most mission statements are crap! Pretty strong opinion, but not unusual for those who know me. I also told her that we could develop one if our team felt we needed one and if we could come up with one that really encapsulates why we are in business. I don't think we can. For one thing we're on different "missions" depending on what we do in the business. For another most "mission statements" are boring and not inspirational. They all sound alike! So, we don't have one... What I like much more are principles. Like "take care of the customer" and "make mistakes, break things, so we can learn and improve". Principles teach us, and can inspire us, much more than mission statements. ![Couple meeting consultant for financial contract](https://www.tonycaldwell.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/Couple%20meeting%20consultant%20for%20financial%20contract.jpeg?width=300&name=Couple%20meeting%20consultant%20for%20financial%20contract.jpeg)Having said that I do think that it's important for entrepreneurs to know why they are in business and to communicate those reasons to their teams. It's important to clarify your reasons. This allows you to judge your own actions to make sure you are in alignment with yourself. It is also helpful to team members to know what you believe, so that they will know if they are in the right place or need to be somewhere else. Here are my "reasons for being in business": 1. To provide an opportunity for everyone on the team to maximize their potential, and realize their professional dreams, on our team with no need to go anywhere else. 2. To maximize the opportunity for our partner agencies to develop to their potential and improve the lives of our partners, their employees and families 3. To have fun while doing #1 and #2! My belief is that if we can adhere to these three things the quality of our service, the loyalty and longevity of our team, the value of our business proposition and the quality of our work lives are all assured. Why are you in business? [Tony Caldwell Tony Caldwell is a modern “renaissance man,” who is not only immensely successful in the field of insurance, but is also a writer, children’s advocate, mentor and even a licensed pilot. Always keen on helping others make their dreams come true, Tony and his team have helped independent agents grow into more than 250 independent agencies. This has made OAA the number one ranked Strategic Master Agency of SIAA for the last 5 years, and one of Oklahoma's 25 Best Companies to Work for. Tony loves to share his knowledge, insight and wisdom through his bestselling books as well as in free mediums including podcasts and blogs. Tony and his family are members of Crossings Community Church, and he is very active in community initiatives: he’s chairman of It’s My Community Initiative, Inc., a nonprofit working with disadvantaged people in Oklahoma City; and chairman of the Oklahoma Board of Juvenile Affairs., and he has served through many other organizations including the Salvation Army, Last Frontier Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and the Rotary Club. In his spare time, Tony enjoys time with his family. He’s also an active outdoorsman and instrument-rated commercial pilot. ](https://www.tonycaldwell.net/blog/author/tony-caldwell) 1 minute read ## Recent Posts ### [Plant The Garden You Won't Live to See](https://www.tonycaldwell.net/blog/plant-the-garden-you-wont-live-to-see) Plant the Garden You Won't Live to See What Le Notre Knew About Building Institutions That Outlast Their Founders Here is a question most builders never ask themselves out loud. ... ### [Overcoming Insurance Industry Challenges](https://www.tonycaldwell.net/blog/insurance-industry-challenges) Those of us who own insurance agencies are no strangers to industry challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic brought several of the latest issues racing to the forefront as individuals ... ### [The Future of Digital Trends in the Insurance Industry](https://www.tonycaldwell.net/blog/digital-trends-in-insurance-industry) The times, as they say, they are a’changing! 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