Commission vs. Mission — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on March 13, 2024
Commission involves a task or duty assigned, often with financial implications, while mission refers to a core purpose or goal, typically non-financial.
Difference Between Commission and Mission
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Commission is often associated with the act of formally assigning someone a task or role, particularly in professional and business contexts. This term frequently comes into play in discussions about financial transactions, where individuals or entities are compensated for services or sales, such as in real estate or art sales. For example, a salesperson earns a commission based on the percentage of their sales. On the other hand, mission encompasses a broader and more purpose-driven goal, often tied to an organization's or individual's core values and objectives. It represents a guiding principle or aim, such as a nonprofit organization's mission to alleviate hunger.
While commission emphasizes the execution of specific tasks or duties, often with a financial reward as motivation, mission highlights a deeper, more intrinsic motivation driven by values or a sense of purpose. A company might set a commission to motivate its sales team, whereas its mission statement reflects its long-term vision and values, guiding its overall strategy and operations.
Commission can also imply a level of authority or responsibility given to perform certain duties or tasks. For instance, military officers are commissioned, which means they are granted the authority to hold certain ranks and responsibilities. Meanwhile, a mission in a military context can refer to a specific operation or task that aligns with broader strategic objectives, underlining the difference in scope and focus between the two terms.
The use of commission is more transactional and specific, suitable for contexts where quantifiable tasks and financial incentives are involved. Conversely, mission is more inspirational and strategic, used to convey long-term goals, ethical commitments, or societal contributions, emphasizing the aspirational aspects of an endeavor.
Both commission and mission are crucial in organizational and personal contexts, but they operate at different levels of action and motivation. Commission drives immediate tasks and goals, often with a clear, measurable outcome, while mission provides a unifying purpose or direction that transcends individual transactions or assignments, shaping identity and long-term strategy.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Task or duty assigned to someone, often with financial reward
Core purpose or goal, often related to values or objectives
Focus
Execution of specific tasks or roles
Long-term vision and values
Context
Professional, business, military
Organizational, personal, strategic
Motivation
Financial incentives, authority
Intrinsic values, purpose
Examples
Sales commissions, military commissions
Nonprofit missions, personal life missions
Compare with Definitions
Commission
A fee paid to an agent or employee for transacting a piece of business or performing a service.
Real estate agents earn a commission on each house they sell.
Mission
A specific task with which a person or group is charged.
Their mission was to deliver supplies to the affected area.
Commission
The authority to act as an agent for another or others, such as in selling securities.
Brokers receive a commission for each trade they execute.
Mission
A prearranged military operation.
The troops were sent on a peacekeeping mission.
Commission
An instruction, command, or duty given to a person or group of people.
She was given a commission to investigate the issue.
Mission
A long-term goal driven by personal or organizational values.
His mission in life is to promote renewable energy.
Commission
A group of people officially charged with a particular function.
The commission on environmental quality meets monthly.
Mission
The purpose, values, or main goal of an organization or individual.
The charity's mission is to support education in underprivileged areas.
Commission
An instruction, command, or role given to a person or group
One of his first commissions was to redesign the Great Exhibition building
He received a commission to act as an informer
Mission
A set of tasks that fulfill a purpose or duty.
The space mission aims to study Mars' atmosphere.
Commission
A group of people entrusted by a government or other official body with authority to do something
A commission was appointed to investigate allegations of police violence
Mission
A special assignment given to a person or group
An agent on a secret mission.
Commission
A sum, typically a set percentage of the value involved, paid to an agent in a commercial transaction
He sold cosmetics on commission
Foreign banks may charge a commission
Mission
A combat operation assigned to a person or military unit.
Commission
A warrant conferring the rank of officer in an army, navy, or air force
He has resigned his commission
She intended to apply for a commission in the army
Mission
An aerospace operation intended to carry out specific program objectives
A mission to Mars.
Commission
The action of committing a crime or offence
The commission of an arrestable offence
The errors are of omission rather than commission
Mission
An ambition or purpose that is assumed by a person or group
Felt it was his mission in life to help the poor.
Commission
Order or authorize the production of (something)
The portrait was commissioned by his widow in 1792
Mission
A body of persons sent to conduct negotiations or establish relations with a foreign country.
Commission
Bring (something newly produced) into working condition
The aircraft carrier was commissioned in 1945
We had a few hiccups getting the heating equipment commissioned
Mission
The business with which such a body of persons is charged.
Commission
Appoint (someone) to the rank of officer in an army, navy, or air force
He was commissioned into the Royal Fusiliers
Mission
A permanent diplomatic office abroad.
Commission
The act of granting certain powers or the authority to carry out a particular task or duty.
Mission
A body of experts or dignitaries sent to a foreign country.
Commission
The authority so granted.
Mission
A body of persons sent to a foreign land by a religious organization, especially a Christian organization, to spread its faith or provide educational, medical, and other assistance.
Commission
The matter or task so authorized
Investigation of fraud was their commission.
Mission
A mission established abroad.
Commission
A document conferring such authorization.
Mission
The district assigned to a mission worker.
Commission
A public board or administrative body
The Federal Trade Commission investigates false advertising.
Mission
A building or compound housing a mission.
Commission
Often Commission A ruling council within the Mafia that adjudicates family disputes and regulates family activities.
Mission
An organization for carrying on missionary work in a territory.
Commission
The act of committing or perpetrating
The commission of a crime.
Mission
Missions Missionary duty or work.
Commission
A fee or percentage allowed to a sales representative or an agent for services rendered.
Mission
A Christian church or congregation with no cleric of its own that depends for support on a larger religious organization.
Commission
An official document issued by a government, conferring on the recipient the rank of a commissioned officer in the armed forces.
Mission
A welfare or educational organization established for the needy people of a district.
Commission
The rank and powers so conferred.
Mission
To send (someone) on a mission.
Commission
To grant a military commission to.
Mission
To organize or establish a religious mission among (a people) or in (an area).
Commission
To grant authority for (something to be made or done); place an order for
Commission a new symphony for the festival.
Mission
Of or relating to a mission.
Commission
To authorize or engage (someone to do something)
Commission an architect to design a building.
Mission
Of or relating to a style of architecture or furniture used in the early Spanish missions of California.
Commission
To put (a ship) into active service.
Mission
Often Mission Of or relating to a furniture style originating during the Arts and Crafts Movement and characterized by sturdy, angular, solid wood construction.
Commission
A sending or mission (to do or accomplish something).
Mission
(countable) A set of tasks that fulfills a purpose or duty; an assignment set by an employer, or by oneself.
Commission
An official charge or authority to do something, often used of military officers.
David received his commission after graduating from West Point.
Mission
(uncountable) Religious evangelism.
Commission
The thing to be done as agent for another.
I have three commissions for the city.
Mission
(in the plural, "the missions") Third World charities, particularly those which preach as well as provide aid.
Commission
A fee charged by an agent or broker for carrying out a transaction.
A reseller's commission
The real-estate broker charged a four percent commission for their knowledge on bidding for commercial properties; for their intellectual perspective on making a formal offer and the strategy to obtain a mutually satisfying deal with the seller in favour of the buyer.
Mission
An infrequent gathering of religious believers in a parish, usually part of a larger regional event with a central theme.
Commission
The act of committing (e.g. a crime or error).
The commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism
Mission
A number of people appointed to perform any service; a delegation; an embassy.
Commission
(transitive) To send or officially charge someone or some group to do something.
James Bond was commissioned with recovering the secret documents.
Mission
(obsolete) Dismissal; discharge from service
Commission
(transitive) To place an order for (often a piece of art).
He commissioned a replica of the Mona Lisa for his living room, but the painter gave up after six months.
Mission
A settlement or building serving as a base for missionary work.
Many cities across the Americas grew from Spanish missions.
Commission
To put into active service.
The aircraft carrier was commissioned in 1944, during WWII.
Mission
(transitive) To send on a mission.
Commission
The act of committing, doing, or performing; the act of perpetrating.
Every commission of sin introduces into the soul a certain degree of hardness.
Mission
(intransitive) To do missionary work, proselytize.
Commission
The act of intrusting; a charge; instructions as to how a trust shall be executed.
Mission
The act of sending, or the state of being sent; a being sent or delegated by authority, with certain powers for transacting business; comission.
Whose glorious deeds, but in these fields of late,Made emulous missions 'mongst the gods themselves.
Commission
The duty or employment intrusted to any person or persons; a trust; a charge.
Mission
That with which a messenger or agent is charged; an errand; business or duty on which one is sent; a commission.
How to begin, how to accomplish bestHis end of being on earth, and mission high.
Commission
A formal written warrant or authority, granting certain powers or privileges and authorizing or commanding the performance of certain duties.
Let him see our commission.
Mission
Persons sent; any number of persons appointed to perform any service; a delegation; an embassy; as, the Russian mission to the United Nations.
In these ships there should be a mission of three of the fellows or brethren of Solomon's house.
Commission
A certificate conferring military or naval rank and authority; as, a colonel's commission.
Mission
An assotiation or organization of missionaries; a station or residence of missionaries.
Commission
A company of persons joined in the performance of some duty or the execution of some trust; as, the interstate commerce commission.
A commission was at once appointed to examine into the matter.
Mission
An organization for worship and work, dependent on one or more churches.
Commission
The acting under authority of, or on account of, another.
Mission
A course of extraordinary sermons and services at a particular place and time for the special purpose of quickening the faith and zeal participants, and of converting unbelievers.
Commission
To give a commission to; to furnish with a commission; to empower or authorize; as, to commission persons to perform certain acts; to commission an officer.
Mission
Dismission; discharge from service.
Commission
To send out with a charge or commission.
A chosen bandHe first commissions to the Latian land.
Mission
To send on a mission.
Commission
A special group delegated to consider some matter;
A committee is a group that keeps minutes and loses hours
Mission
An organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
Commission
A fee for services rendered based on a percentage of an amount received or collected or agreed to be paid (as distinguished from a salary);
He works on commission
Mission
An operation that is assigned by a higher headquarters;
The planes were on a bombing mission
Commission
The act of granting authority to undertake certain functions
Mission
A special assignment that is given to a person or group;
A confidential mission to London
His charge was deliver a message
Commission
The state of being in good working order and ready for operation;
Put the ships into commission
The motor was out of commission
Mission
The organized work of a religious missionary
Commission
A group of representatives or delegates
Mission
A group of representatives or delegates
Commission
A formal statement of a command or injunction to do something;
The judge's charge to the jury
Commission
An official document issued by a government and conferring on the recipient the rank of an officer in the armed forces
Commission
The act of committing a crime
Commission
A special assignment that is given to a person or group;
A confidential mission to London
His charge was deliver a message
Commission
Put into commission; equip for service; of ships
Commission
Place an order for
Commission
Charge with a task
Common Curiosities
Can an individual have a personal mission?
Yes, individuals can have personal missions that reflect their values, goals, and aspirations, guiding their decisions and actions in life.
What is the primary difference between a commission and a mission?
A commission is a specific task or role assigned, often with financial reward, while a mission is the overarching purpose or goal driven by values or objectives.
Is a commission always related to financial transactions?
While commonly associated with financial incentives, a commission can also refer to the act of assigning any specific duty or responsibility.
Can an organization have both a commission and a mission?
Yes, an organization can have both, with commissions serving as specific tasks or roles within the broader framework of its mission.
How does a mission influence an organization?
A mission provides a unifying direction and purpose, guiding decisions, strategies, and operations towards achieving long-term goals.
Can a mission be achieved through multiple commissions?
Yes, achieving a mission often involves completing multiple commissions or tasks that collectively contribute to the overarching goal.
How are commissions calculated in sales jobs?
Commissions in sales jobs are typically calculated as a percentage of the sales amount or as a fixed amount per sale or transaction.
Can a mission change over time?
Yes, a mission can evolve as organizations or individuals grow and adapt to new challenges, opportunities, and societal needs.
How do commissions impact customer relationships?
Commissions can impact customer relationships positively by motivating service providers to deliver high-quality service, though excessive focus on commissions can sometimes lead to prioritizing sales over customer needs.
How does a commission motivate employees?
Commissions motivate employees by providing financial rewards for achieving specific tasks or sales targets, encouraging performance and productivity.
Is it possible for a commission to contradict an organization's mission?
While possible, it is generally considered problematic as it can lead to ethical dilemmas and conflicts within the organization's values and objectives.
Why is a mission statement important for nonprofits?
A mission statement is crucial for nonprofits as it clearly communicates their purpose, goals, and values to supporters, donors, and the community.
What is the role of a commission in governance?
In governance, a commission is a group of individuals officially charged with a specific function or investigation, contributing to policy-making and regulation.
How do missions and commissions differ in military contexts?
In military contexts, a commission refers to the authority granted to officers, while a mission refers to specific operational tasks aligned with strategic objectives.
Why is clarity in mission and commission important?
Clarity in both mission and commission ensures alignment with goals, effective execution of tasks, and consistency in purpose and actions across an organization or individual's endeavors.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
