In the corporate world, a mission statement keeps a company from _____ away from its main purpose.

In the corporate world, a mission statement serves as a guiding framework for a company's strategic decisions and actions. It defines the organization's core purpose and central objectives, helping to ensure that all efforts are aligned with its foundational goals.

The correct choice emphasizes the idea that a mission statement helps to keep a business focused on specific objectives and activities that are consistent with its core purpose. When a company strays from its mission, it risks losing direction and can become unfocused, potentially leading to misalignment among its initiatives and operations.

While "straying," "diverting," and "expanding" may also touch on the theme of moving away from the main focus, "diversifying" specifically implies branching into new areas or expanding product lines that may not align with the original mission. While diversification can sometimes be a strategy for growth, it does not capture the essence of maintaining a clear focus on the company's primary purpose in the same way that "straying" would. Thus, maintaining a mission statement is critical to prevent a company from diverging from its intended purpose.