How to Write an HR Mission Statement, and Why They Matter

Today, work-life balance and flexibility are top priorities for both employers and employees. The boundaries between work and personal life have shifted, thanks to evolving career expectations, the rise of AI and automation, and a new generation of workers entering the workforce. In this context, HR leaders have an opportunity to redefine their impact and align their work with broader organizational goals. But what role do mission statements play in achieving this?

What Is a Mission Statement, and Why Is it Important in HR Today?

Mission statements create a framework for a company's goals and results—and establishes how daily work contributes toward achieving them. They're useful for individuals, organizations, and teams.

Regardless of the action, mission statements empower HR professionals to ask, "Is this decision aligned with my mission statement and with achieving the goals I’ve identified?"

At BerniePortal, we’ve led mission statement trainings. We have a company mission statement, organized a session on building personal mission statements, and some teams also have their own mission statements.

We even wrote one for HR Party of One, our HR Youtube series and podcast:

"To be the most helpful voice in the world for HR Parties of One by providing history, clarity, and community around important HR questions, resulting in deeper level understanding that empowers the people who keep their organizations going and growing. Without being boring."

Why Write an HR Mission Statement?

Many HR teams are focused on aligning their work with the goals of the organization. Doing so elevates the position and, in many cases, adds a deeper sense of achievement around even the administrative parts of the job.

So how do you write a mission statement? In general, mission statements will cover three key things:

1. What you do
2. How you do it
3. Why you do it

Each new BerniePortal hire receives a copy of Stephen Covey's 7 Habits for Highly Effective People, which the team periodically reviews. Covey popularized mission statements in this book, which he says are vital to successful organizations, because often a staff's goals don't align with the organization's. 

An HR mission statement will articulate your company’s values, culture and business goals—and how the work you do helps make those things happen. It’s a touchstone for your organization and your work.

Use Covey’s mission statement tool to help build your mission statement.

Writing an HR Mission Statement

Crafting a meaningful HR mission statement goes beyond checking a box or copying a standard template. It’s about capturing the essence of your team’s purpose and the unique value HR brings to the organization. Here’s a step-by-step approach to help you craft a statement that resonates:

1. Reflect on Your Organization’s Values and Culture
   Consider what your organization stands for. Are you known for innovation, employee well-being, or community impact? Your mission statement should capture the spirit of your organization’s culture and goals.
2. Identify HR’s Unique Role
   HR is more than just payroll and benefits. It’s about shaping the employee experience, building a strong culture, and driving organizational success. Think about how your team contributes to these broader goals.
3. Incorporate Your Team’s Strengths
   What does your HR team excel at? Whether it’s employee development, diversity and inclusion, or workforce planning, make sure your mission statement highlights these strengths.
4. Keep It Inspiring but Practical
   A mission statement should be both aspirational and actionable. It should motivate your team while serving as a practical guide for decision-making.
5. Test It and Get Feedback
   Share your draft with colleagues or team members to ensure it resonates. Make adjustments based on their input to create a statement that truly reflects your team’s mission.

Consider the following example of an HR Mission Statement:

"We support and maximize the potential of our greatest asset, our employees. We implement policies and services that align with organizational goals, including creating a safe and compliant workplace, effective training and professional development, and addressing both the needs of individuals and the organization."

Not particularly inspiring. When constructing mission statements, think about what how your organization excels or its focus.

Think about your culture and what’s important to your team. Is it sustainability? Great service? Revolutionizing your industry? Creating opportunities for your community?

To align HR with the organization’s goals, these should also be a core part of HR’s mission.

Consider a mission statement pulled from Marquette University’s HR team:

"The Human Resources Department will be a catalyst; we aspire to be the model for excellence and leadership in human resources, emphasizing strategic and progressive human resource practices, high quality service, efficiency, employee growth and enrichment, and community. We will seek to implement human resource best practices and innovative human resource solutions. We will maintain a dedicated focus on customer service and continuous improvement, and we will remain committed to fostering an environment that sustains Marquette’s tradition of transformational education."

Much better. With that said, there’s nothing wrong with borrowing from other mission or team mission statements. On the other hand, it’s also okay to change the mission statement. It’s actually a best practice to regularly review mission statements to confirm they still represent your values and goals. If it doesn’t, change it!

What About Other Benefits of Mission Statements?

Another benefit of the mission statement is it allows you to review your work and value-adding activities with your supervisor. You’re able to confirm that the work you’re doing fits in with the rest of the team and what they envision for your role, as well as very clearly outlining the strategic nature of what you do. This can elevate HR's role within the organization as well.

Mission statements aren’t set in stone. In fact, it’s best practice to revisit them regularly to ensure they still capture the essence of your organization’s goals and values. If your mission statement no longer resonates, don’t hesitate to revise it.

A well-crafted HR mission statement can be a powerful tool for building a cohesive, purpose-driven team. It aligns HR efforts with broader business goals, enhances strategic decision-making, and helps clarify your impact within the organization. As Covey puts it, a mission statement that “truly reflects the deep shared vision and values of everyone—creates a great unity and tremendous commitment.”

Additional Resources

You can stay informed, educated, and up-to-date with important HR topics using BerniePortal’s comprehensive resources:

• BerniePortal Blog—a one-stop-shop for HR industry news
• HR Glossary—featuring the most common HR terms, acronyms, and compliance
• HR Guides—essential pillars, covering an extensive list of comprehensive HR topics
• BernieU—free online HR courses, approved for SHRM and HRCI recertification credit
• HR Party of One—our popular YouTube series and podcast, covering emerging HR trends and enduring HR topics