They clarify things. We gravitate to them and away from their opposites. We want to emulate values that we admire in others. Leaping beyond them to the bigger picture brings us smack up to the mission statement. It isn't a specific plan.
Mission statements are like directional arrows.
They show the way. Later we'll fill in the destinations. Abraham Lincoln often said that his task was to stay ready and be prepared for political service. That was his mission. The destination turned out to be the White House.