Mission Driven Leadership

"Never tell people HOW to do things; tell them WHAT to do, and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."

George Patton

American General

Mission-Type Orders: A Framework for Trust and Decentralized Execution

posted in Leadership

Contents

MIssion-Driven Leadership

Do you understand the power of mission-type orders? Are you building the trust, clarity, and skills within your team necessary to delegate effectively? If you’re not, you’re leaving success on the table.

Mission-type orders challenge YOU—the leader—to go beyond delegating tasks. First, you must master your own role. Then, you must understand your boss’s role. Finally, you must develop the most challenging leadership skill of all: communicating for shared understanding.

The goal?

  • Empower subordinates
  • Decentralize execution
  • Build trust

This leadership framework places significant responsibility on you as the executive leader. Steps 1-5 and 7 are firmly within your domain, requiring extra effort, nuanced skill, and focused execution. But first, let's make sure that we are clear about what a mission is.

Defining Your Mission: The Tactical "What"

A mission is tactical and action-oriented—it’s the WHAT you do consistently to deliver value. Unlike purpose, which clarifies your WHY, or values which clarify your HOW, your mission focuses on observable actions that benefit your clients the most. It’s the job you’re proud to do, serves your clients and the one that keeps your organization moving forward.

For example, a disaster remediation company I coach has a clear client-focused mission: "Respond rapidly to protect assets and reduce the negative economic impact of fire, flood, and unpredictable damage." This mission leadership is tangible, actionable, and easy to execute.

A well-defined mission:

  • Drives Consistency: It provides a clear framework for daily operations and decision-making.
  • Inspires Engagement: It motivates your team by highlighting the meaningful actions they take to make a difference.

To define your mission:

  1. Reflect on Core Actions: What observable work consistently delivers the most value to your clients?
  2. Identify What You’re Proud Of: What part of your work feels most impactful and meaningful to you and your team?
  3. Use Action-Oriented Language: Frame your mission to lead with clear, tactical verbs that emphasize the ongoing nature of your work.

While your values guide how you implement your mission, and your purpose explains why you do it, your mission is the practical, strategic “what” that ensures your organization remains focused, efficient, and effective. What’s your mission?

7 Steps to Ensure Mission Success and Build Trust

Here’s how to effectively use mission-type orders to lead with clarity and confidence:

  1. Ensure Competence
    • Start with yourself. Master your responsibilities and ensure your team is equally skilled. Competence builds credibility and inspires confidence.
  2. Build Mutual Trust
    • Trust isn’t automatic—it’s earned. Demonstrate reliability, consistency, and fairness in your leadership.
  3. Communicate to Craft Shared Understanding
    • The mission must be clear to everyone involved. Break down silos and align your team’s efforts.
  4. Overcommunicate the Commander’s Intent
    • Everyone needs to understand the why behind the mission. Purpose-driven teams are more resilient, adaptable, and innovative.
  5. Deliver the Mission Orders
    • Specify the what, when, and who. Leave the how-to for your team to encourage creativity and initiative.
  6. Execute with Disciplined Initiative
    • Provide your team with the tools, training, and autonomy they need to succeed. Cultivate a values-driven culture that fosters ownership and accountability.
  7. Accept Risk
    • Leadership requires courage. Embrace calculated risks and model resilience when outcomes deviate from the plan.

A Leadership Philosophy in Action

General George Patton famously said, “Never tell people HOW to do things; tell them WHAT to do, and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.” This is the essence of mission-type orders.

Passing the how to your team isn’t about relinquishing control—it’s about trusting their expertise and empowering them to rise to the occasion.

Ask yourself: How can I improve at passing the HOW?

  • Do I understand my own role deeply enough to delegate effectively?
  • Am I communicating with enough clarity to empower autonomous action?
  • Have I built the trust and skills in my team necessary for decentralized decision-making?

Mission-type orders are more than a leadership framework; they’re a mindset. When executed well, they build stronger teams, foster innovation, and create a foundation of trust that drives long-term success.

How will you start implementing mission-type orders in your leadership today?