“Without a vision, the people perished” is a famous line from the book of Proverbs 29:18. Countless sessions have been conducted for organizations since the vision-mission phenomena started many years back but does this really work?

A few years ago, a group of Japanese executives from one of our client companies, flew in to Manila to take a mission-vision exercise with us. Their plant in the country is one of their largest subsidiaries and the business that they generate from this location is substantial. Hence, it was necessary that they undertake what they consider as a major initiative of the organization.

Using a Japanese interpreter to translate our lectures and activities during the session, we introduced them to a physical activity where the executives, some as old as 60, were blindfolded. Though they struggled through the imposed barriers using only their partners as their guide, it was evident that they took to the task with much gusto. During the processing, they said that they found the activity not just fun but more importantly, they found it meaningful.

“Without vision, Sato San will make mistake,” mumbled one Japanese executive.

“Can you repeat that?” I asked.

“Without vision, Sato San will make mistake,” he replied.

“Exactly!” I retorted. “We need to have a common vision, a common path, a common understanding; or we will all make mistakes,” I stressed.

A common vision provides a guide for everyone to see where the organization is heading. It clarifies the goal. It shows your people what is important to you. It is the starting point by which all can come to an agreement of what you hope to achieve.

A company we worked with was on the verge of failure when they started their vision-mission campaign. Inviting us to their plant a year later, the GM challenged us to ask any of their employees to recite their vision-mission credo. Looking around the offices, we saw that their vision statements were posted everywhere. So, we opted to go their motor pool where there were no overt clues. We saw an elderly mechanic under a vehicle. Tapping him on the leg, we asked if he would recite their vision statement to us. What happened next was a pleasant surprise to us: he excused himself, washed his hands then put on his blue shirt jock. Then he recited their vision statement with such pride, it almost brought tears to our eyes. This company is now very profitable.

Should we say more?

“Give to us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for – because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything.” – Peter Marshall

The words of Dr. Calleja, the father of PSE and the Chairman of the Steering Committee which crafted the competency guidelines of the society provided the starting point for the Mission-Vision Workshop that was conducted for the Philippine Society of Echocardiography (PSE) last July 17, 2010 at the Therapharma Training Room in Bonaventure Plaza. According to Dr. Calleja, “Quality patient care is our business.” may not encompass all that PSE is but this is certainly an eloquent statement of who PSE aspires to be.

Dr. Inge Edler, hailed to be as the Father of Echocardiography, was described to be a person who has an “ardent interest for the patient.” It is therefore not surprising that in describing who they are and why do they exist, the PSE Mission statement read: “We are an organization of dedicated, like-minded professionals with a passion for excellence in the knowledge and the application of quality echocardiography.” Like-minded professionals sharing a passion for excellence—this is a tribute to what Dr. Edler has started and fought for all these years. After all, to create and evaluate a new and revolutionary diagnostic method demands a person with extraordinary qualities – one who possess an interdisciplinary creative thinking and extreme accuracy coupled with infinite patience. Every member of the PSE is described as such as well.

The day started with a spread of delicious adobo, itlog na maalat salad, fruits and flowing coffee. Much to the chagrin of dieters like me, no amount of self-control is sufficient for one not to give in to the temptation of over-eating this delicious fare. Amidst small talk of golf and mundane concerns, the day started in high spirits as Dr. Lopez welcomed everyone to the workshop. It did not matter that the group was small because the core people who has a stake in the Mission-Vision of PSE was fully present and giving it their all.

There was much debate, albeit healthy exchanges between the two group of doctors when they started crafting the vision statement. Inundated by laughter and occasional banter, the participants had to reflect whether they want to be “internationally recognized” or are they simply concerned with establishing standards for the “protection” of the profession and the patient? The initial statement made by Dr. Calleja made sense to all when he finally had a chance to speak, “We do what we believe is right, we serve the patient and look after his welfare. If we get recognized along the way, well and good; but that is not the reason why we do it. We do it because we care.” So it goes, that the vision statement of PSE echoes these very same principles: “ Quality echocardiography by competent professionals for every patient.”

There were many commitments made to achieve the vision. Embodied in the acronym We “ECHO” are the very statements that will ensure that PSE will live up to its mission of quality echocardiography for all. From its members to its patients, from its fellows and technologists to its diagnostic laboratories, PSE commits to assure the delivery of quality echocardiography through the society’s many advocacies and programs.

How did the day end? Much like how it started—in high spirits. Everyone was finally looking at a common roadmap for the Society. It is now up to its members to “kick the tires” and give the statements their “thoughts”. What’s next? PSE now has to sit down and create the strategic plans that will measure the progress of PSE in achieving their Mission. One thing is for sure — nothing is impossible with these like-minded professionals. Their quest for excellence will continue and the ultimate beneficiary will be ordinary people like you and me.