How an Evolved Organization Bares Its Soul To the World

You know your organization stands for something special in the world.

But do your stakeholders?

Do they know about your plan for a better product and better world? Can they feel the passion that fuels your fire which is making the planet a better place to live?

If you're uncertain about that, I have one word for you: manifesto.

Conscientious Leaders know that a brand manifesto differs from your mission statement. Their intentions may be the same. But their language is not. While the mission statement is very left-brain and logical, the manifesto is right-brain and emotional. Well-crafted manifestos can last for decades if not centuries.

Think Martin Luther King, Junior's "I Have a Dream Speech," the Declaration of Independence and the Ten Commandments. A manifesto is your bold plan for a better world, a moral compass that will guide and define your brand to both external and internal audiences.

Is a manifesto right for your organization? To answer that, consider the following criteria we believe must be a part of one:

1.       Communicate Deep Emotional Principles. What is your organization's reason for existence?

2.       State Your Core Values. What is it your organization stands for? Protecting the environment? Embracing equity? Promoting justice?

3.       Speak the Truth. Are you authentic? Does your language and ideas reflect that?

4.       Relate to Your Audience. Are you using emotion to touch your audience's core?

5.       Differentiate. How does your organization differ from others appealing to your audience?

The manifestos we admire and that resonate with us all share some things in common. These elements include:

1.       Speaking in the Collective Voice.

2.       Speaking in the Active Voice.

3.       Looking to Change the Status Quo.

4.       Serving as Compass for Future Decisions.

For contemporary examples of well-crafted manifestos, we happen to be particularly fond of  Albertina Kerr's "Army of Angels" here in our hometown of Portland, OR. And if we may toot our own horn, we also like our own HCollaborative manifesto here.

If you feel the time is right in your organization for a manifesto with 2017 just around the corner and you need some guidance, let us know. We'll show you the next steps.

To get our book, "25 Building Blocks To Create a Conscientious Organization" FREE,  go to HCollaborative.com for an instant download.