Stan Parlow, J.D. and D.J. Van Meter, Ph.D.

Leaders inspire employees to be self-governed. Self-governed employees honor the public’s trust; they align their discretionary decision-making, conduct, and behavior with the organization’s vision, values, mission, and accomplishments. It is fair to say self-governed employees are more satisfied, productive, require less direct supervision, and reduce employers’ risk of vicarious liability.

A favorite story about vision and mission alignment occurred in 1962 when
President JackKennedyvisitedNASA.Asthestorygoes,heobservedaNASA employee with a broom sweeping an area nearby. The President walked over to the employee and said, “Hi, I am Jack Kennedy; what do you do here?” Without missing a beat, the man replied, “Well, Mr. President, I am here to put a man on the moon.” Although some doubt that this conversation ever occurred, it represents a great example of aligning employees’ conduct and behavior with an organization’s vision and mission.