My transformation from a civilian into an Army Officer was when I was introduced to the OPORD (operations order). The OPORD is the military method leaders use to explain to subordinates a particular course of action. It is a directive which contains the who, what, where, when, and why of how the mission will be accomplished from start to finish. It is a plan that is written, presented, and discussed in the same format each and every time.
The Army, like most organizations, has its own language. All newly commissioned Second Lieutenants have much to learn, including mastering the five-paragraph operations order. This should not be confused with a similarly significant formula for budding mathematicians, the order of operations which defines how math problems are to be solved. Fortunately, standardization helps so every OPORD follows the same outline – Situation, Mission, Execution, Administration and Logistics, and Command and Control. The most significant element is always mission because it defines the goal or task.
Mission and Education
Frankly, it has been some time since I thought much about OPORDs, MREs, and BDUs but a recent gathering of Christian School Heads changed that. Much of the discussion at that event focused on problems and challenges facing Christian education today. To be fair, many of my colleagues are naturally and theologically optimistic and so there is always an appreciable amount of conversation about opportunities and blessings as well. I would not want to misrepresent our industry leaders. However, school leadership is not for the faint of heart.
As I listened and occasionally offered commentary, a nagging notion stayed frustratingly just out of reach. It was like a faint image moving in and out of view. Later that evening the image began to sharpen. A couple of days later, after some further contemplation and discussion, it emerged, crystal clear. Borrowing from political speak – “It’s the mission, stupid.”
Why Mission Matters
Organizational leadership has always been about mission. Mission defines objectives, outcomes, means, and motives. More importantly, mission is defined in terms of context. That is why the OPORD found its way from the background of my thinking to the forefront in making sense of my recent experience. Organizational leadership, in military terms, is shaping and defining the battlefield.
As Christian school leaders wrestle with historical and contemporary issues, we must do so with the mission in plain view. Too much time has been wasted pursuing other notions that distract from the mission.
Not all good ideas ought to be pursued when viewed in terms of mission. For example, Westminster Academy was recently approached about adding pilot and aircraft mechanic training as part of a joint venture with local government. Certainly, there is merit in each of these and both offer vocational opportunities. However, Westminster’s mission explicitly defines its academic program as college preparatory, not vocational. It is also a private, Christian school which limits engagement with government. When viewed through the mission lens, it is a straight-forward decision to decline.
The most significant organizational element is always mission. Mission defines objectives, outcomes, means, and motives. Without it, organizations lose their way.
Often more challenging is the allure of shiny objects which divert leaders from mission priorities, such as specialized programs beyond the school’s scope or chasing enrollment growth instead of developing institutional culture or embracing identity politics that erode unity. When leaders succumb to this temptation and lose sight of mission, everyone loses. Perhaps Paul’s warning to the church in Ephesus is helpful, “Look carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the best use of the time.”
This is the bottom line – mission can’t be ignored. It must be clearly established and embraced. It is key to unlocking an organization’s efficacy and significance. Mission, rightly understood, aligns with culture and context.
Biblical Basis
For the Christian, the concept of mission is integral to our thinking. The opening chapter of the Scriptures frames our mission. Often we refer to this calling as the Dominion Mandate, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Genesis 1:28). Jesus, in Matthew 28, amplifies and enhances our mission with Great Commission – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations …” God has ordained and established our mission statement.
The biblical account contains many specific examples of individuals leading with mission in mind. One that illuminates the principle of mission well is the account of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls in Jerusalem. He faces a wide range of challenges and distractions, including logistics, local resistance, and even detractors but in the end, Nehemiah stays the course, anchored to his mission.
Thinking About Mission
The following is not an exhaustive list but perhaps will provide some fodder for your own leadership and thinking:
- Often mission is diluted or ignored over time. It needs to be reset.
- Each organization has a unique mission and context. It is one thing to bring solid principles to each assignment but quite another to try and lead the same way and do the same things at a new spot. Remember different organizations, different missions.
- Mission drives outcomes. Context defines limits. The leader’s responsibility is to tease out the margins and advance within the organizational realities.
- Mission outcomes must be clearly defined.
- Mission defines priorities. Then, good leaders illuminate them.
- To stay on mission requires unrelenting discipline and unwavering dedication.
- Great leaders tease out the maximum opportunity within the mission.
Transformational Leadership
Transformational leadership has become a rather hot topic these days. I actually find that curious for what other kind of leadership exists?
By definition, leadership makes a difference – it causes changes. Transformational leadership does not recreate an organization. Rather the transformation focuses on dynamically reforming norms, empowering people, liberating unnecessary restrictions, and fundamentally redefining culture.
Jack Palance was a well-known character actor. His career was mainly in the Western genre. In City Slickers he played Curley Washburn a grizzled cowboy who works at a dude ranch that features a supervised cattle drive for city folks on vacation. In the movie Curley meets Mitch (Billy Crystal) from New York City who, along with some friends, are struggling with life. Mitch finds himself alone with Curley who asks if he knows the meaning of life. Mitch is a bit bewildered and says he doesn’t know. In response, Curley holds up a finger and says that life is about “One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that …” Unlike Mitch, organizational leaders know what that one thing is – it is the mission. Just stick to that.