2
Integrating Ethics
into Mission & Vision Statements
Lindsey (Decker) Kepka
07/14/2022
EDL852 - Module 5
MISSION, VISION & VALUES
MISSION: Educating, empowering and preparing every student for life.
My District
VISION: Today's students prepared for tomorrow's world.
VALUES: Honor, persistence, compassion, scholarship, and excellence.
(Hutchinson Public Schools, 2019)
REFERENCES
Davis, J. H., Ruhe, J. A., & Lee, M. (2007). Mission possible: Do school mission statements work? Journal of Business Ethics, 70(1), 99-110. Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/open?id=1i0AUezJt
VISwm9ObAgfI7uRVj2P816ng
Grigoropoulos, J. E. (2019). The role of ethics in 21st-century organizations. International Journal of
Progressive Education, 15(2), 167-175. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1219282.pdf
Hutchinson Public Schools. (2019). Mission and Vision Statement, www.usd308.com.
Jabbar, A. A., & Hussein, A. M. (2017). The role of leadership in strategic management. International Journal of Research - Granthaalayah, 5(5), 99-106. http://granthaalayah.com/Articles/
Vol5Iss5/10_IJRG17_A05_279.pdf
Leonard, K. (2019, February 6). Workplace values & ethics. Small Business - Chron.com.
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/workplace-values-ethics-4887.html
Loehr, J. (2012, July 30). 4 rules to craft a mission statement that shapes corporate culture. Fast Company. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/1836576/4-rules-craft-mission-statement-shapes-corporate-culture
Mighty Recruiter. (n.d.). Creating workplace ethics that align with vision statement. Mighty Recruiter.
https://www.mightyrecruiter.com/recruiter-guide/hiring/creating-workplace-ethics-
that-align-with-vision-statement/
Monster. (2019, September 17). Build a strong company by fostering employee values and ethics. Monster Employer Resources | Monster.com. https://hiring.monster.com/employer-resources/
workforce-management/employee-performance/ethics-in-the-workplace/
APA References
Content Summary
Content
With defined business ethics, you can recruit amd hire employees whose values align. When clear expectations are established and communicated, employees see and model their enforcement.
Creating workplace ethics that align with vision statement
(Mighty Recruiter, n.d.)
REFERENCES
Davis, J. H., Ruhe, J. A., & Lee, M. (2007). Mission possible: Do school mission statements work? Journal of Business Ethics, 70(1), 99-110. Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/open?id=1i0AUezJt
VISwm9ObAgfI7uRVj2P816ng
Grigoropoulos, J. E. (2019). The role of ethics in 21st-century organizations. International Journal of
Progressive Education, 15(2), 167-175. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1219282.pdf
Hutchinson Public Schools. (2019). Mission and Vision Statement, www.usd308.com.
Jabbar, A. A., & Hussein, A. M. (2017). The role of leadership in strategic management. International Journal of Research - Granthaalayah, 5(5), 99-106. http://granthaalayah.com/Articles/
Vol5Iss5/10_IJRG17_A05_279.pdf
Leonard, K. (2019, February 6). Workplace values & ethics. Small Business - Chron.com.
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/workplace-values-ethics-4887.html
Loehr, J. (2012, July 30). 4 rules to craft a mission statement that shapes corporate culture. Fast Company. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/1836576/4-rules-craft-mission-statement-shapes-corporate-culture
Mighty Recruiter. (n.d.). Creating workplace ethics that align with vision statement. Mighty Recruiter.
https://www.mightyrecruiter.com/recruiter-guide/hiring/creating-workplace-ethics-
that-align-with-vision-statement/
Monster. (2019, September 17). Build a strong company by fostering employee values and ethics. Monster Employer Resources | Monster.com. https://hiring.monster.com/employer-resources/
workforce-management/employee-performance/ethics-in-the-workplace/
APA References
Directions for Mission/Vision
Directions for Mission/Vision
If your business ethics is well defined, you can find candidates who align with the same ideals. With an established paradigm, you can recognize and reward employees who make good ethical decisions. Since beliefs and attitudes vary greatly, they need to be spelled out according to the organization’s mission and industry. These values can be communicated through employee handbooks, trainings, and on various printed and online materials
(Mighty Recruiter, n.d.)
Characteristics of Mission/Vision
Characteristics of Mission/Vision
Ethics should be spelled out in broad terms for mission/vision statements and get more specific in procedures and codes of conduct and ethics.
(Mighty Recruiter, n.d.)
Core Values
Core Values
While our employee-base is increasingly diverse, the following values are common almost everywhere: responsibility, civic virtue, trustworthiness, justice, fairness, caring and respect.
(Mighty Recruiter, n.d.)
Employers need to define expectations for decision-making as well as procedures for violations. Developing required trainings helps mitigate potential problems.
Workplace Values and Ethics
(Leonard, 2019)
REFERENCES
APA References
Davis, J. H., Ruhe, J. A., & Lee, M. (2007). Mission possible: Do school mission statements work? Journal of Business Ethics, 70(1), 99-110. Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/open?id=1i0AUezJt
VISwm9ObAgfI7uRVj2P816ng
Grigoropoulos, J. E. (2019). The role of ethics in 21st-century organizations. International Journal of
Progressive Education, 15(2), 167-175. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1219282.pdf
Hutchinson Public Schools. (2019). Mission and Vision Statement, www.usd308.com.
Jabbar, A. A., & Hussein, A. M. (2017). The role of leadership in strategic management. International Journal of Research - Granthaalayah, 5(5), 99-106. http://granthaalayah.com/Articles/
Vol5Iss5/10_IJRG17_A05_279.pdf
Leonard, K. (2019, February 6). Workplace values & ethics. Small Business - Chron.com.
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/workplace-values-ethics-4887.html
Loehr, J. (2012, July 30). 4 rules to craft a mission statement that shapes corporate culture. Fast Company. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/1836576/4-rules-craft-mission-statement-shapes-corporate-culture
Mighty Recruiter. (n.d.). Creating workplace ethics that align with vision statement. Mighty Recruiter.
https://www.mightyrecruiter.com/recruiter-guide/hiring/creating-workplace-ethics-
that-align-with-vision-statement/
Monster. (2019, September 17). Build a strong company by fostering employee values and ethics. Monster Employer Resources | Monster.com. https://hiring.monster.com/employer-resources/
workforce-management/employee-performance/ethics-in-the-workplace/
Directions for Mission/Vision
When creating the mission, vision, bylaws and code of ethics and conduct, messaging should be the same. All of these documents, the implementation and the attitude of the leader will dictate how ethics are handled at the organization.
(Leonard, 2019)
Directions for Mission/Vision
Core Values
Typical areas for employers to care about ethics are: honesty, accountability, respect, caring and reliability.
Required trainings sometimes help with potential problems, like sexual harrassment, discriminiation, misuse of technology, etc.
Company’s values dictate the amount of tolerance for infractions.
Values can dictate not only big things, but also things as small as how to answer the phone; a consistent experience builds consumer confidence
(Leonard, 2019)
Core Values
Characteristics of Mission/Vision
Characteristics of Mission/Vision
Values and ethics for a company should be defined in an organization’s bylaws, mission and vision and policies.
At minimum, ethical behavior should follow the law and address regulatory issues.
(Leonard, 2019)
Ethics applies to everyone at an organization regardless of position or level of responsibility. With an established formal code of ethics, these expectations can be defined clearly and reinforced. These ethical considerations balance a need for profit and a concern for society.
The role of ethics in 21st-century organizations
(Grigoropoulos, 2019)
REFERENCES
Davis, J. H., Ruhe, J. A., & Lee, M. (2007). Mission possible: Do school mission statements work? Journal of Business Ethics, 70(1), 99-110. Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/open?id=1i0AUezJt
VISwm9ObAgfI7uRVj2P816ng
Grigoropoulos, J. E. (2019). The role of ethics in 21st-century organizations. International Journal of
Progressive Education, 15(2), 167-175. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1219282.pdf
Hutchinson Public Schools. (2019). Mission and Vision Statement, www.usd308.com.
Jabbar, A. A., & Hussein, A. M. (2017). The role of leadership in strategic management. International Journal of Research - Granthaalayah, 5(5), 99-106. http://granthaalayah.com/Articles/
Vol5Iss5/10_IJRG17_A05_279.pdf
Leonard, K. (2019, February 6). Workplace values & ethics. Small Business - Chron.com.
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/workplace-values-ethics-4887.html
Loehr, J. (2012, July 30). 4 rules to craft a mission statement that shapes corporate culture. Fast Company. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/1836576/4-rules-craft-mission-statement-shapes-corporate-culture
Mighty Recruiter. (n.d.). Creating workplace ethics that align with vision statement. Mighty Recruiter.
https://www.mightyrecruiter.com/recruiter-guide/hiring/creating-workplace-ethics-
that-align-with-vision-statement/
Monster. (2019, September 17). Build a strong company by fostering employee values and ethics. Monster Employer Resources | Monster.com. https://hiring.monster.com/employer-resources/
workforce-management/employee-performance/ethics-in-the-workplace/
APA Resource
Characteristics of a Mission/Vision
Characteristics of Mission/Vision
When the organization guides employees and asks them to be mindful of all stakeholders, especially in the mission/vision statements, there is more commitment.
Leaders are the most influential force at dictating the organization’s culture and they must put the mission/vision into practice everyday.
(Grigoropoulos, 2019)
Directions for Mission/Vision
Directions for Mission/Vision
When forming the mission/vision statement, consider 4 approaches:
Utilitarian - most beneficial and least harmful to the most people
Rights - evaluates the level and degree of rights that the parties involved have over a decision and who has the most influential right over the others
Common Good - advocates that the community and its benefits should be directed towards the community in its entirety
Virtue - targets towards the virtues and “desirable qualities” of the individual undertaking the action and how he/she can reach his/her maximum potential
(Grigoropoulos, 2019)
A company with clear goals but no ethics will not have longevity. When ethics are included in the mission/vision, a company can reward ethical behavior and protect their global image.
Build a strong company by fostering employee values and ethics
(Monster, 2019)
REFERENCES
Davis, J. H., Ruhe, J. A., & Lee, M. (2007). Mission possible: Do school mission statements work? Journal of Business Ethics, 70(1), 99-110. Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/open?id=1i0AUezJt
VISwm9ObAgfI7uRVj2P816ng
Grigoropoulos, J. E. (2019). The role of ethics in 21st-century organizations. International Journal of
Progressive Education, 15(2), 167-175. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1219282.pdf
Hutchinson Public Schools. (2019). Mission and Vision Statement, www.usd308.com.
Jabbar, A. A., & Hussein, A. M. (2017). The role of leadership in strategic management. International Journal of Research - Granthaalayah, 5(5), 99-106. http://granthaalayah.com/Articles/
Vol5Iss5/10_IJRG17_A05_279.pdf
Leonard, K. (2019, February 6). Workplace values & ethics. Small Business - Chron.com.
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/workplace-values-ethics-4887.html
Loehr, J. (2012, July 30). 4 rules to craft a mission statement that shapes corporate culture. Fast Company. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/1836576/4-rules-craft-mission-statement-shapes-corporate-culture
Mighty Recruiter. (n.d.). Creating workplace ethics that align with vision statement. Mighty Recruiter.
https://www.mightyrecruiter.com/recruiter-guide/hiring/creating-workplace-ethics-
that-align-with-vision-statement/
Monster. (2019, September 17). Build a strong company by fostering employee values and ethics. Monster Employer Resources | Monster.com. https://hiring.monster.com/employer-resources/
workforce-management/employee-performance/ethics-in-the-workplace/
APA References
Characteristics of Mission/Vision
Mission/vision statements should take an ethical stance. Establishing clear ethical boundaries in the mission/vision can help ensure compliance in day-to-day operations.
(Monster, 2019)
Characteristics of Mission/Vision
Directions for Mission/Vision
Employers must be transparent with their ethical standards. Some suggestions are: the employee handbook, ethical Q & As, recruiting materials, and employee development programs.
(Monster, 2019)
Directions for Mission/Vision
Steps for writing a corporate Code of Ethics should include:
1. Beginnging with an opening sentence that talks about the company's values
2. Make sure everyone knows the rules
3. Make sure everyone knows how to follow the rules
4. Establish a mechanism that ensure employees are folowing them
4 rules to craft a mission statement that shapes corporate culture
(Loehr, 2012)
REFERENCES
APA References
Davis, J. H., Ruhe, J. A., & Lee, M. (2007). Mission possible: Do school mission statements work? Journal of Business Ethics, 70(1), 99-110. Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/open?id=1i0AUezJt
VISwm9ObAgfI7uRVj2P816ng
Grigoropoulos, J. E. (2019). The role of ethics in 21st-century organizations. International Journal of
Progressive Education, 15(2), 167-175. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1219282.pdf
Hutchinson Public Schools. (2019). Mission and Vision Statement, www.usd308.com.
Jabbar, A. A., & Hussein, A. M. (2017). The role of leadership in strategic management. International Journal of Research - Granthaalayah, 5(5), 99-106. http://granthaalayah.com/Articles/
Vol5Iss5/10_IJRG17_A05_279.pdf
Leonard, K. (2019, February 6). Workplace values & ethics. Small Business - Chron.com.
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/workplace-values-ethics-4887.html
Loehr, J. (2012, July 30). 4 rules to craft a mission statement that shapes corporate culture. Fast Company. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/1836576/4-rules-craft-mission-statement-shapes-corporate-culture
Mighty Recruiter. (n.d.). Creating workplace ethics that align with vision statement. Mighty Recruiter.
https://www.mightyrecruiter.com/recruiter-guide/hiring/creating-workplace-ethics-
that-align-with-vision-statement/
Monster. (2019, September 17). Build a strong company by fostering employee values and ethics. Monster Employer Resources | Monster.com. https://hiring.monster.com/employer-resources/
workforce-management/employee-performance/ethics-in-the-workplace/
Characteristics of Mission/Vision
Characteristics of Mission/Vision
If the mission statement is solely focused on profitability and not shareholder value - ethical lines get easily blurred. It creates a “results at all costs” mentality.
Having an ethics-focused mission and vision is only one piece, you also have to get your entire company culture to buy into it and embody the value.
(Loehr, 2012)
Directions for Mission/Vision
Each leaders must link their purpose and character strengths with the mission.
If a company is going to thrive, it needs to be linked to intrinsic values, not just profit
Leaders are the single strongest force of dictating company culture.
(Loehr, 2012)
Directions for Mission/Vision
Leadership must be assertive and build a culture of kindness and insistence on quality. Leaders are responsible for the formation and enforcement of company strategy.
The role of leadership in strategic management.
(Hussein & Jabbar, 2017)
REFERENCES
Davis, J. H., Ruhe, J. A., & Lee, M. (2007). Mission possible: Do school mission statements work? Journal of Business Ethics, 70(1), 99-110. Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/open?id=1i0AUezJt
VISwm9ObAgfI7uRVj2P816ng
Grigoropoulos, J. E. (2019). The role of ethics in 21st-century organizations. International Journal of
Progressive Education, 15(2), 167-175. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1219282.pdf
Hutchinson Public Schools. (2019). Mission and Vision Statement, www.usd308.com.
Jabbar, A. A., & Hussein, A. M. (2017). The role of leadership in strategic management. International Journal of Research - Granthaalayah, 5(5), 99-106. http://granthaalayah.com/Articles/
Vol5Iss5/10_IJRG17_A05_279.pdf
Leonard, K. (2019, February 6). Workplace values & ethics. Small Business - Chron.com.
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/workplace-values-ethics-4887.html
Loehr, J. (2012, July 30). 4 rules to craft a mission statement that shapes corporate culture. Fast Company. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/1836576/4-rules-craft-mission-statement-shapes-corporate-culture
Mighty Recruiter. (n.d.). Creating workplace ethics that align with vision statement. Mighty Recruiter.
https://www.mightyrecruiter.com/recruiter-guide/hiring/creating-workplace-ethics-
that-align-with-vision-statement/
Monster. (2019, September 17). Build a strong company by fostering employee values and ethics. Monster Employer Resources | Monster.com. https://hiring.monster.com/employer-resources/
workforce-management/employee-performance/ethics-in-the-workplace/
APA References
Characteristics of Mission/Vision
Communication about ethics must be assertive, kind but insistent and not off putting. The tone needs to be unwavering.
(Hussein & Jabbar, 2017)
Characteristics of Mission/Vision
Directions for Mission/Vision
Leadership needs to have an ongoing evaluation process to ensure that the misison/vision are working as they should. They should adopt a continuous cycle of improvement.
(Hussein & Jabbar, 2017)
Directions for Mission/Vision
This study showed a correlation between mission statements at universities that focused on character traits, and the higher emphasis placed on these traits university-wide. Additionally, the study showed the value in the re-education process when forming a mission as well as the operational reinforcement of the statement.
Mission possible: Do school mission statements work?
(Davis, Lee, Rajadhyaksha, and Ruhe, 2006)
REFERENCES
Davis, J. H., Ruhe, J. A., & Lee, M. (2007). Mission possible: Do school mission statements work? Journal of Business Ethics, 70(1), 99-110. Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/open?id=1i0AUezJt
VISwm9ObAgfI7uRVj2P816ng
Grigoropoulos, J. E. (2019). The role of ethics in 21st-century organizations. International Journal of
Progressive Education, 15(2), 167-175. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1219282.pdf
Hutchinson Public Schools. (2019). Mission and Vision Statement, www.usd308.com.
Jabbar, A. A., & Hussein, A. M. (2017). The role of leadership in strategic management. International Journal of Research - Granthaalayah, 5(5), 99-106. http://granthaalayah.com/Articles/
Vol5Iss5/10_IJRG17_A05_279.pdf
Leonard, K. (2019, February 6). Workplace values & ethics. Small Business - Chron.com.
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/workplace-values-ethics-4887.html
Loehr, J. (2012, July 30). 4 rules to craft a mission statement that shapes corporate culture. Fast Company. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/1836576/4-rules-craft-mission-statement-shapes-corporate-culture
Mighty Recruiter. (n.d.). Creating workplace ethics that align with vision statement. Mighty Recruiter.
https://www.mightyrecruiter.com/recruiter-guide/hiring/creating-workplace-ethics-
that-align-with-vision-statement/
Monster. (2019, September 17). Build a strong company by fostering employee values and ethics. Monster Employer Resources | Monster.com. https://hiring.monster.com/employer-resources/
workforce-management/employee-performance/ethics-in-the-workplace/
APA References
Characteristics of a Mission/Vision
Characteristics of Mission/Vision
Mission and Vision Statements should be operationally enforced. These statements should consider optimal ethical behavior and character traits that demonstrate this culture.
(Davis, Lee, Rajadhyaksha, and Ruhe, 2006)
Mission and Vision Statements must be enforceable and have ethical language included. Most importantly, leaders must be bought into the mission.
Directions for Mission/Vision
(Davis, Lee, Rajadhyaksha, and Ruhe, 2006)
REFLECTION
Reflection
The lesson I took away from this assignment was completely different than I intended. I am a single mom of two, and after having sick kids all week, I hadn't had any time to start this assignment besides jotting down brief notes from the readings. I have a bad habit of failing to start a project if it feels as though I will fail. My perfectionism is sometimes crippling. Today I learned that sometimes I can't completely control the outcome, but I can start, do my best, and go from there.
RELEVANCE
This module's materials gave powerful examples of how impactful including values and ethics in our mission and long range vision are. As a future administrator, I now have a toolbelt to establish a meaningful Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics, Core Values, Mission Statement and Vision Statement.
Relevance
REFERENCES
References
Davis, J. H., Ruhe, J. A., & Lee, M. (2007). Mission possible: Do school mission statements work? Journal of Business Ethics, 70(1), 99-110. Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/open?id=1i0AUezJt
VISwm9ObAgfI7uRVj2P816ng
Grigoropoulos, J. E. (2019). The role of ethics in 21st-century organizations. International Journal of
Progressive Education, 15(2), 167-175. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1219282.pdf
Hutchinson Public Schools. (2019). Mission and Vision Statement, www.usd308.com.
Jabbar, A. A., & Hussein, A. M. (2017). The role of leadership in strategic management. International Journal of Research - Granthaalayah, 5(5), 99-106. http://granthaalayah.com/Articles/
Vol5Iss5/10_IJRG17_A05_279.pdf
Leonard, K. (2019, February 6). Workplace values & ethics. Small Business - Chron.com.
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/workplace-values-ethics-4887.html
Loehr, J. (2012, July 30). 4 rules to craft a mission statement that shapes corporate culture. Fast Company. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/1836576/4-rules-craft-mission-statement-shapes-corporate-culture
Mighty Recruiter. (n.d.). Creating workplace ethics that align with vision statement. Mighty Recruiter.
https://www.mightyrecruiter.com/recruiter-guide/hiring/creating-workplace-ethics-
that-align-with-vision-statement/
Monster. (2019, September 17). Build a strong company by fostering employee values and ethics. Monster Employer Resources | Monster.com. https://hiring.monster.com/employer-resources/
workforce-management/employee-performance/ethics-in-the-workplace/
CORRELATION
This module demonstrated the importance of including an ethical stance in a company's mission/vision statements. In order for all students and adults to thrive in our school settings, we must foundationally build our policies and procedures to protect the rights and best interests of those we serve.