Art of Possibility and Mission Statements

~ The Art of Possibility Reading ~

- Read it after graduation when you don’t know what to do with yourself.

- Why was it recommended?

o In business communications we often have a one-track mind with communication, that being efficient, direct. Based on your job title, money earned, etc

o Book changes that ideology: Being a contribution.

- Giving yourself an ‘A’

o Already envision yourself accomplishing whatever you want to accomplish

o Book example is about writing a letter to yourself at the beginning of class, envisioning you having an ‘A’ at the end.

- Being a contribution

o Think in terms of what have I accomplished or contributed instead of how much did I get done compared to someone else

o Can be valuable now in Group Projects. Rather than: did I do as much as so and so?, think what did I contribute to the project

o Helpful in getting people on board with a project and wanting to contribute

§ Monica’s example of working in a “no excuses” environment

§ Later wanting to be involved and contribute once explained that she was a part of the company’s mission – rather than just another worker

- No “leading chair”

o Flips management upside down, believing that everyone can make a contribution and giving the opportunity for others to do so

o Being open to outside ideas, regardless of station. Empowering others.

- Rule Number 6

o Don’t take yourself so damn seriously.

o Things come up, sometimes deadlines aren’t met (by you or a group member)

§ Keep in mind what you were able to accomplish

§ Possible to get non-contributors to get more involved by changing their mindset to being a part of the project rather than just a worker on a project

~ Mission Statements ~

- Lead off by framing the issue, giving background, etc…

- Then present the solution or what the point of your paper/argument/presentation is.

- Use precise, cogent language to get to the theme or mission of you paper early on (before your reader/audience loses interest)

- The more you explain your topic (ex. group project), the better you will be able to articulate your topic to varying audiences

- General breakdown of in-class mission statement example (need to be included in Abstract and discussed in the introduction):

o Topic/definition

o General background

o Targeted/relevant background

o Research gap/problem statement

o Method

o Scope

o Outcome

-- Josh Uecker