Mission vs. Money: Are you a business missionary or mercenary?

By Maxwell Ampong

In today’s Ghana, there’s a growing divide in how people approach business. Some are driven by the allure of quick profits, the rush of sealing deals, and the relentless pursuit of revenue. These are the business mercenaries, charging into the market with dollar signs in their eyes.

On the other hand, however, we find a different breed of entrepreneurs, those who chase something deeper, something more enduring. These are the business missionaries. For them, success isn’t just about the bottom line; it’s about purpose, impact, and leaving a meaningful legacy.

This contrast between missionaries and mercenaries goes beyond just a mindset. It is a powerful reflection of the choices we make on our individual corporate journeys. Are we in it to serve, to build, and to transform?

Or are we only after the cash and the clout? While mercenaries might achieve fast gains, history shows that it’s the missionaries who endure, who inspire, and who, ironically, often end up making even greater fortunes in the long run.

Defining Business Missionaries and Mercenaries

“Missionary” and “Mercenary” are more than just labels. They describe two fundamentally different mindsets that drive how people build and operate their businesses. Understanding these approaches sheds light on why some entrepreneurs stand the test of time while others flame out after a few quick wins.

A business mercenary is driven by one goal: profit. They’re quick to spot an opportunity, strike fast, and extract value wherever possible. Mercenaries often operate with a focus on short-term gains, seeing success in numbers, revenue targets, and immediate results.

This approach is characterised by high energy and competitiveness but rarely grounded in a deeper purpose. The focus is often narrow, driven by personal gain, and sometimes comes at the expense of customers, employees, or broader societal values.

In contrast, a business missionary is fuelled by a commitment to something beyond personal profit. Missionaries start with a purpose, a vision of what they want to change or create in the world around them.

Their approach to business is often slower, more deliberate, and focused on building lasting value. Missionaries see success not just as personal gain but as something shared with the people and communities they serve. They invest in relationships, prioritise quality over quick wins, and put their mission first, even when it means turning down lucrative offers that don’t align with their vision.

While mercenaries may be faster to make profits, missionaries tend to build something resilient, something that people trust and respect. And for some strange reason, as we’ll see through real-life examples, this approach doesn’t just lead to a stronger business but often results in unexpected financial success.

Go figure!

Why Mission Matters

Why is mission so powerful in the world of business? At first glance, chasing profit might seem like the surest way to success. After all, money is a tangible reward. Yet, history and experience show that mission-driven businesses are built on stronger foundations, inspiring greater loyalty from customers, employees, and communities alike. This loyalty is more than just a by-product; it’s a pillar that sustains businesses through challenges and economic cycles.

A business driven by mission speaks to people’s core values. Customers today are more discerning than ever, gravitating toward brands they can believe in. When a business prioritises purpose, customers don’t just buy products; they buy into a story, a vision, and a shared sense of responsibility. This creates something money can’t buy: trust.

Unlike mercenary-run businesses that pivot rapidly and focus on short-term gains, missionary businesses invest in cultivating these relationships. They understand that trust is an asset that grows over time, paying dividends long after the initial sale.

From my personal experience working, trading, and growing with Ghana’s farmers, this is so true and so crucial to business success. You need their trust, and oh no, they’re not easily fooled into trusting you.

Furthermore, mission-driven businesses attract and retain top talent. People want to work where they feel valued and part of something meaningful. In environments where mission drives decisions, employees are not just numbers but contributors to a larger goal.

This sense of purpose motivates teams to give their best, fosters a collaborative culture, and significantly reduces turnover. In other words, a mission-driven company becomes a magnet for both loyal customers and dedicated employees, which are vital ingredients for sustained growth.

The mission, then, isn’t just an add-on or a marketing tool. It is the very engine of long-term success. As we’ll see with our examples of business missionaries, this commitment to purpose often ends up creating far more wealth and success than any quick, mercenary approach could.

Examples of Business Missionaries

Some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs are those who made a choice early on to prioritise their mission over immediate financial rewards. These “business missionaries” took calculated risks, often turning down tempting offers to stick with their vision, and, in time, reaped rewards far greater than the initial gains they left behind.

One notable example is Mark Zuckerberg, who, at just 22 years old, famously turned down a $1 billion buyout offer from Yahoo for Facebook. Many questioned his decision at the time, but Zuckerberg’s commitment to his mission – to connect people globally – fuelled his resolve. He believed Facebook could transform how people interacted worldwide, and today, his company is worth about 1.5 TRILLION US DOLLARS as of this writing.

Another example is Steve Jobs of Apple, a pioneer known for his relentless dedication to innovation and quality over profit. Jobs focused on creating technology to revolutionise people’s lives, often disregarding short-term financial targets.

In fact, Apple’s product development cycles were famously slow and painstaking, a rarity in an industry driven by rapid releases. His mission-first approach led Apple to create products that people loved and trusted, establishing a brand loyalty that transformed Apple into one of the most valuable companies in the world.

Then there’s Elon Musk, a figure who exemplifies the business missionary spirit. Musk is deeply driven by his vision for a sustainable future, investing heavily in Tesla and SpaceX despite numerous financial hurdles.

His ambition to reduce humanity’s reliance on fossil fuels and explore space made him pour nearly all his wealth into these companies. Today, Musk’s commitment has positioned Tesla as a leader in electric vehicles and SpaceX as a pioneer in commercial space exploration. His success is proof that, when a mission aligns with a deep societal need, it has the power to reshape industries and generate extraordinary returns.

Long-term Impact and Financial Success

When entrepreneurs choose mission over money, they’re not just building businesses; they’re laying the groundwork for enduring legacies and, often, unexpected financial success. The journey of a business missionary is slower, grounded in values, and rooted in trust. This patient, purposeful approach ultimately yields rewards that are far more sustainable than any quick profit could provide.

The reason for this lies in the foundation that a mission-driven business builds. Unlike mercenary businesses that can fade quickly after short-lived trends, missionary-led businesses establish a loyal customer base, attract top-tier talent, and enjoy a level of resilience that stands up to economic pressures. These companies create value that resonates with people on a personal level, inspiring loyalty and generating goodwill that no marketing budget could buy.

Take Warren Buffett as an example. Known for his long-term investment philosophy, Buffett has always emphasised building businesses with solid fundamentals and a focus on enduring value. His company, Berkshire Hathaway, grew not by seizing fleeting opportunities but by investing in companies with lasting potential and meaningful missions. Buffett’s approach has made Berkshire Hathaway one of the world’s most respected conglomerates and has also allowed him to generate immense wealth, all while staying true to his core principles.

 

Make The Choice That Defines Success

This long-term success isn’t exclusive to well-known billionaires; it’s a principle that works at every scale of business. When you prioritise mission, customers and communities become invested in your success because they see the value you’re bringing to their lives. This results in organic growth through word-of-mouth and a reputation that no mercenary venture can easily replicate. Financially, this strategy creates sustainable revenue, recurring customers, and, often, exponential growth as loyalty compounds over time.

Choosing the path of a business missionary is a commitment to something greater than immediate profits; it’s a commitment to legacy, purpose, and impact. In a world where the temptation to chase quick returns is constant, prioritising mission over money sets you apart and, in the long run, can propel you to heights you never thought possible.

Ask yourself: what kind of business journey do you want to take? Are you willing to take the slower, more meaningful route, investing in people, relationships, and a vision that endures? While the mercenary route may deliver quick wins, the missionary path brings rewards that compound over time, both in impact and, surprisingly, in financial success. Again, go figure!

Money can buy a lot in today’s world, but in the end, those who build with purpose find that wealth follows, and what they’ve created is something money alone could never buy.

I hope you found this article insightful and enjoyable. Your feedback is highly valued and appreciated. I welcome your suggestions for topics you want me to address or provide insights on. You can schedule a meeting with me at your convenience through my Calendly at  www.calendly.com/maxwellampong. Alternatively, connect with me through various channels on my Linktree page at www.linktr.ee/themax. Subscribe to the ‘Entrepreneur In You’ newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/d-hgCVPy.

I wish you a highly productive and successful week ahead!

 

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Dr. Maxwell Ampong serves as the CEO of Maxwell Investments Group. He is also an Honorary Curator at the Ghana National Museum and the Official Business Advisor with the General Agricultural Workers Union of Ghana (GAWU) under Ghana’s Trade Union Congress (TUC). Dr. Ampong writes on relevant economic topics and provides general perspective pieces. “Entrepreneur In You” is supported by GCB Bank PLC and operates under the auspices of the Africa School of Entrepreneurship, an initiative of Maxwell Investments Group.

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