I have been so proud of my leadership team lately!  They truly understand the organizational mission!  We’ve been talking about it lately as is healthy to do, but instead of my sharing it or us searching around for what it might be, I simply asked and received the right answer.  Half of it anyway.

The first half of the answer that they nailed was “Connect customers to top of the line switching and sensing solutions.”  This is the half that pertains to what the business exists to achieve in order to make money.  This is the economic purpose of the organization that the market values.

The second half that they did not mention, but identify with and live out every day, is “To make better people.”  This is why the business exists and how we truly make a difference in the world.  Our culture is ingrained with activities that make our people better.  This happens formally as every review has project goals, but also personal improvement goals.  We offer character development training, one on one coaching and other training curricula as appropriate.  However, most of this work happens informally.  It is seen and felt by watching employees be themselves in everyday interactions.  It is seen by how employees go way above and beyond to sponsor less fortunate families at Christmas.  It is seen as employees host fundraising dinners for each other as they experience tragedy or medical needs.  It is seen as they encourage each other through our exercise or smoking cessation programs.

It would be virtually impossible for the organization to exist if we did not make money and carry out the first, economic mission. It would also be almost meaningless for the organization to exist solely for this mission.  It is so much more fun and enriching to know that the company exists to achieve both missions!