January 18, 2010
Are You Mission Critical?
ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 9:05 am
A Position of Power or a Call to Service?

I know a man who describes his ideal job in a simple nine words.
Whatever I do, I want to be mission critical.
When he first said that, I thought he was describing a position of power and adrenalin. Now I see it more as call to service and collaboration.
Are You Mission Critical?
The difference between a truly strategic mission and a shaky vision is the practical and human understanding that we can’t go it alone. Strategy only works when it serves the people who help us grow.
The people we serve have their own missions.
- Some missions are about physiology and survival — breathing, food, clothing, shelter. and sex.
- Some missions are about security and safety — personal and financial security, health and safety, feelings of wellbeing and protection.
- Some missions are social — sense of family, close friends, support networks, a sense of intimacy.
- Some missions are about personal identity — visibility, attention, fame, respect, self-esteem, personal integrity.
- Some missions are philosophical — personal growth, saving the world, promoting a cause, being part of something bigger.
- Some missions are worth dying for.
Great service wraps our mission around the mission of the people we serve.
What people do or how they do it is less important than the mission that drives them. If we understand their mission, we can be the catalyst that gets them to realize that goal. That is the definition of mission critical.
How do you wrap your mission around the mission of the people you serve?
–ME “Liz” Strauss
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8 Comments to “Are You Mission Critical?”



Ben Curnett said
Hey Liz:
I read the perfect quote to fit your blog today, esp considering your last bullet point…
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’”
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Square-Peg Karen said
What a question: “How do you wrap your mission around the mission of the people you serve?”.
I’m making it mission critical today to evaluate my mission using this question. Thanks!
The Baum Group/Dr. Rae and Associates said
Thank you Liz for this opportunity to share how we wrap our mission around the mission of the people we serve.
We contribute daily to the quality of your life by using our creativity and enthusiasm to support, inspire
and encourage you to invest in yourself with less stress.
We focus on your well-being.
We help you live the life you want
by being your total resource for what effects your stress reactions and your well-being.
We make a difference in your life by delivering products and services — globally.
ME Liz Strauss said
Awesome Ben,
Total synchronicity. Thank you for leaving that quote.
ME Liz Strauss said
Karen,
I think you may already be more mission critical than you suspect. Your comment sounds like it.
ME Liz Strauss said
Thanks to the Baum Group,
for always being here with a kind word and participation!
The Baum Group/Dr. Rae and Associates said
Our pleasure as always Liz
Robin Dickinson said
Hi Liz,
Edgy topic. Thanks.
Wrapping my mission around that of those I serve is all about ’shared readiness’.
My mission is to “Help the strong succeed”.
‘Strong’ meaning those people who stand ready & open for new growth.
They say when the student is ready, the teacher will appear - so my mission helps me position myself to be in a heightened state of readiness to ‘appear’ for potential students who are ‘ready’ to grow.
Best to you, Robin