Some established organizations will be able to live off their substantial resources and reputation in the near future. Most, however, will only survive if they operate from clearly articulated statements of mission that relate directly to the impact that the institution has on key stakeholders. An organization that defines a specific set of values and services as something needed by a specific constituency is likely to be successful in our chaotic, postmodern world. An organization that tries to appeal to a much broader audience with a variety of different services that do not hold together coherently is much less likely to be successful. Furthermore, organizations that have clearly defined and enacted missions, coupled with a compelling, shared vision, will tend to attract attention and commitment. The resources and energy of people working inside the organization are focused, as are the resources and energy of those who support the organization.
Any contemporary organization may choose to work from its mission and foster both learning and continuous improvement as a central feature of its organizational culture. In adopting this strategy, a contemporary organization is positioning itself for a postmodern world in which organizations must become increasingly flexible about their boundaries. These postmodern organizations can shift with the changing nature of their constituencies, while preserving a distinctive identity and purpose. They are likely to be much more open to changes in clientele and to moving across previously restrictive boundaries (such as product or service area, or even regional or national boundaries). In dropping their boundaries, postmodern organizations are likely to be more fully responsive to changing technologies and changing customer and community needs.
The Case of Jacinda Ardern
Unlike Kurt Seto and Susan Telluride, Jacinda Ardern is a real person who served as Prime Minister of New Zealand during the early 2020s. Jacinda surprised everyone by announcing her resignation as Prime Minister in early 2023. This resignation occurred before an election scheduled for later this year. Elected in 2017, at age 37, as the world’s youngest female head of government, Ardern came into office on a wave of good cheer, proclaiming, “Let’s do this!” She was offering “hugs rather than stoic nods.” She preached kindness in governance. Jacinda began to advocate for members of the New Zealand community who were underrepresented in government or stigmatized because of their religious beliefs.
Prime Minister Ardern did an artful job of leading in 2019, when a gunman killed 51 worshippers at two mosques in the city of Christchurch. Ardern grieved with Muslim Kiwis, wearing a hijab. She then moved swiftly by toughening gun laws in New Zealand. Her effective leadership came into play one year later, when COVID-19 hit New Zealand. As Prime Minister, Ardern immediately closed New Zealand’s borders, keeping the virus from its shores for months. Her hardline Zero-Covid policy gave the country one of the world’s lowest Covid death rates. This Ruby Red action, with its immense economic impact on people’s lives, sparked an intense backlash, and her popularity dipped. Still, her embodiment of “compassionate” leadership made her a global celebrity.
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