Most companies have a mission statement. But few are truly mission-driven in practice. In this episode, Jason Fraser joins Ashok to unpack what it actually means to prioritize mission over profit — and how the best organizations are able to do both. Jason reflects on the differences between performative mission language and the kind of operational decision-making that aligns tightly with purpose. He shares the concept of "mission ratios" and how teams can use them to identify where they're constrained, where they have leverage, and how to get disproportionate outcomes from limited inputs.

Drawing on examples from Patagonia, World Central Kitchen, and a federal asylum processing team, Jason walks through the tools and frameworks that mission-first leaders can use to improve focus, clarity, and measurable impact. Whether you're running a nonprofit, a B Corp, or just trying to do more meaningful work, this episode gives you language and direction to guide your team's decisions. Plus, Jason shares how to spot the ratios that matter most — and what to do once you find them.

Unlock the full potential of your product team with Integral's player coaches, experts in lean, human-centered design. Visit integral.io/convergence for a free Product Success Lab workshop to gain clarity and confidence in tackling any product design or engineering challenge.

Inside the episode...

• What really defines a mission-driven organization

• Mission vs. permission work: how to make trade-offs without guilt

• Why purpose can actually boost profitability and team alignment

• Introducing "mission ratios": the unit economics of social impact

• Frameworks for identifying your most limiting constraints

• How to apply the impact mapping tool to optimize outcomes

• Lessons from World Central Kitchen, Earthshot Prize, and a USCIS case study

• Tractability vs. leverage: how to prioritize what's actually solvable

• The hidden assumptions that reduce efficiency and how to challenge them

• How organizations can operationalize ethics without compromising viability

Mentioned in this episode

• Jason and Janice's book, Farther, Faster, Way Less Drama

• Jason's workshops and events: https://missionratio.com/events/

• Jason's linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonfraser

• World Central Kitchen

• Patagonia

• CERO Bikes

• The Earthshot Prize

• Climatebase Fellowship

• Good Strategy, Bad Strategy by Richard Rumelt

• Impact Mapping by Gojko Adzic

• Deloitte Study

• Target versus Costco

• Value Chain

Unlock the full potential of your product team with Integral's player coaches, experts in lean, human-centered design. Visit integral.io/convergence for a free Product Success Lab workshop to gain clarity and confidence in tackling any product design or engineering challenge.

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