Daniel,

I appreciate your humility.  We are here to learn from each other.  The fundamentals of an organization are embedded in its Vision, Mission, Values and Ethics. In the vision, mission and values and ethics are where we find what to do, where to play, how to win.  The outcomes are dependent on the strategies the team develop to meet the needs of all whose transformation is dependent on the organization’s vision, mission, values and ethics. When everyone in the organization is committed to the vision, mission, values and ethics of the organization, the achievements are not dependent on one person, but on the team regardless of the geographic boundaries of the organization.

I took a look at the Mission and Values of the Salvation Army in the context of our discussion:

Mission: The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Core Values:

Compassion: We reach out to others and care for them.

Respect: We promote the dignity of all persons.

Excellence: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

Integrity: We are honest, trustworthy, and accountable.

Relevance: We are committed to the pursuit of innovation and effectiveness.

Co-operation: We encourage and foster teamwork and partnerships.

Celebration: We give thanks by marking milestones and successes.

Transformational changes is a process and will happen over time. The appointment of successors should be carefully done to select persons who share and have a deep commitment to building on the work already established.  According to research the implementation of company’s mission is most effective in sustainable leadership development where individuals are actively involved in realizing the mission and participate in creating goals to shape their development, rather than simply acquiring knowledge and skills without being involved in the entire developmental process (Peterlin, 2016). Though strategies might change (the how) the vision, values and ethics remain constant. According to Imbenzi, Williaume and Page (2013):

Transformational leadership is not limited to a leader transforming and influencing followers. Building from the foundation of other-focus, transformational leadership is about leaders and followers transforming each other and the collective whole. Thus, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. (p. 17).

A personal testimony of the power of vision, mission, values and ethics of an organization.  Recently I encountered an undesirable level of service at an organization. The experience was very heart wrenching, not only because it affected me and my family, but also because it was an ongoing situation which affects many people.  I spoke with a representative via telephone about the situation and the initial response was in defence of the organization. Having learnt the importance of vision, mission, values and ethics of an organization in my leadership course, I proceeded to dissect the service being provided by the organization in comparison to its mission, values and ethics.  At the end of the conversation, the representative said: “I am heartbroken”.  The representative not only conveyed the matter to the manager at the location in question, but the managers of all other locations were also informed.  The manager called and I conveyed the same message of the organization’s mission, values and ethics during our conversation.

I am happy to say written notice of changes to the services being provided by the organization has been announced.  Good news! Will the changes be transformational to the services being provided by the organization?  I do not think so. However, the manager did something possible in the authority given. The outcome might not always be what we desire, however, as transformational leaders we have to hold ourselves and others accountable to what we say we will do, to the vision, values and ethics which govern our operations.

References

Imbenzi, G., Williaume, D. & Page, D. (2013). Transformational servant leadership. Unpublished manuscript, Master of Arts in Leadership. Trinity
Western University: Langley, Canada.

Peterlin, J (2016). Incorporation of Sustainability into Leadership Development. Economic and Business Review, Vol 18, Iss 1, Pp 31-53 (2016), (1), 31. https://ezproxy.student.twu.ca:2420/10.15458/85451.16

The Salvation Army (2018). Mission and values. Retrieved from https://salvationarmy.ca/about-us/missionandvalues/