4 Reasons Why I Hate Policies and What to Do About It (Ron Edmondson)

I’ll be honest. I’m not a huge fan of policies. It may be because I’m not a very good rule follower, but I honestly don’t think they work as well as they are intended.

Policies are a course, plan or principle of action. They are designed to offer a sense of control. In theory, policies are to make things better. They are a necessary part of dealing with people in an organizational setting.

My problem with polices is that they often interrupt progress rather than enhance it. If not careful, a policy may control the success you want to see as a leader.

Here are 4 reasons I hate policies:

Policies control a sense of freedom – Policies, by nature, are methods of control, which can limit people’s sense of freedom.

Policies limit ability to think outside the box – Policies can limit thoughts to a pre-determined outcome, which keeps the random and potentially explosive thoughts from developing.

Policies stall attempts at excellence – The parameters of a policy often produce an atmosphere of mediocrity.

Policies curtail the pursuit of progress – The weight of meeting a policy’s demands can take energy from pursuing things with the opportunity of greater progress.

My suggestion?

In lieu of a policy, here are 4 suggestions:

Handle individual problems individually – Rather than create a new policy to control an issue, deal directly with the individual who needs more control. (It works…try it.)

Treat people differently – If a team has more than one person, then there will be more than one type of person on the team. Did you follow that? Policies treat everyone the same, which (I wrote about that HERE)

Lead rather than manage – Management is much about implementing policies and seeing they are adhered to completely. Leadership sets a vision and guides people towards it. Less policies are needed in that process. (I wrote about that HERE)

Allow for more mistakes – Policies are easier to measure. They have a pass/fail assessment attached to them. Without policies, grace and forgiveness can be more freely applied. People can learn from their failures, without the repercussions of breaking a policy.

My bottom line:

I’m not suggesting we can do without policies, but I am suggesting they should not be the “go to” solution to a problem. Most problems in an organization don’t need a new policy. Policies can weigh down progress.

Be honest. Are you more likely to want a policy or resist a policy?

Source: Ron Edmondson

To my fellows pastors: 10 key points you should remember this coming year (Rick Warren)

As pastors we live with the constant tension between the ideal (our dream for our church) and the real (how things actually are). Here are 10 key points I want you to remember this coming year

1. Ministry is a marathon, not a 50-yard dash. It’s not how you start that matters. It’s how you finish the race. Sustainability counts more than speed. Don’t give up! Paul tells us to run the race for a “heavenly reward that never disappears” (1 Cor. 9:25). Live with your eyes on eternity.


2. Every church is large in God’s eyes. In God’s eyes, there is no such thing as a small or insignificant church. Jesus died for your church. That’s how much your ministry matters to God. It is the Body and Bride of Christ. The church is the only thing on earth that will last forever.


3. There is no correlation between the size and strength of a church. A church can big and flabby just as a church can be small and wimpy. Neither big nor small is better. Healthy is better. Strong is better. Focus on developing people and God will build his church.


4. Never compare your ministry to anyone else’s. God says it is foolish to compare (2 Corinthians 10:12). Why? First, you can always find someone doing a better job than you and you’ll get discouraged. Second, you can always find someone you’re doing a better job than, and you’ll become prideful. Either one can sabotage your ministry. When you get to heaven, God won’t say, “Why weren’t you more like (some other pastor)? He made you to be you and if he didn’t want you to be you, he wouldn’t have created you!


5. Live for an audience of One. The moment you start worrying about what other people think, your ministry is handicapped. If criticism is true, listen and learn from it. If it is false, ignore it and forget it. Remember that God is the ultimate judge of your life and ministry. Maintain a tough skin and tender heart.


6. Never criticize nor envy another ministry. I’ve seen more pastors defeated by these two traps than anything else. A critical or an envious spirit quenches God’s anointing. God loves to bless people you disagree with! “Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand” (Romans 14:4). God is watching your reaction to the failures and successes of your brothers. We are to “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15).


7. Be humble or you’ll stumble. He who gets too big for his britches will inevitably be exposed in the end! Whenever I am prideful I become the enemy of God because “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble people are teachable and don’t rush to judge others Humility is being honest about your weaknesses. Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less! It’s not about you!


8. Learn from everyone. The danger of looking at lists such as, “The 100 fastest growing churches”, or “The 50 largest churches” is that you’ll compare and compete. Bad idea! Instead, learn from the models represented by the churches on those lists. The Bible tells us that skill, not merely dedication, is what brings success (Ecclesiastes 10:10). Work smarter, not harder. Every time I hear about anyone making an impact, I say, “Amen! Now teach me how to do it too!” All leaders are learners. The moment you stop learning, you stop leading. You can learn from anyone if you ask the right questions.


9. Remember all growth is seasonal. Every living thing goes through seasons of growth (spring and summer) and dormancy (fall and winter). Churches go through these seasons. Healthy growth takes TIME. When God wants to make a mushroom, he takes 6 hours. When he wants to make an oak tree, he takes 60 years. Do you want to be a mushroom or an oak tree?
Churches that explode overnight are not necessarily growing; they may simply be swelling by attracting believers who transfer from other churches. That is not legitimate growth. Conversion growth is real growth, so focus on how many new believers you are winning and baptizing, not your attendance.
Nothing bears fruit year round. Your church may be in a Fall-like season right now (no leaves, no fruit) or winter (everything seems dead.) Keep on believing, learning, loving, and putting down roots. Spring and summer are coming! Hang on! The tide goes out, but it always comes back in.


10. Never confuse prominence with significance. My nose is prominent but I could lose it and still live a happy life. On the other hand, my lungs and liver will never been seen but they are far more significant. I’d die without them. You may be serving a small town or in circumstances with limited growth potential. So what? God put you there, and you’d better stay where God put you until God chooses to move you! God has every hair on your head numbered; your ministry matters to the Kingdom!
We’re all in this together. We’re on the same team, and one day we’ll all celebrate together at the feet of Jesus! Be faithful! Keep your eyes on Jesus! God created you. Jesus died for you. The Holy Spirit lives in you. You’ve been called, gifted, and anointed for your ministry. Never give up!

What Your Team Needs You As A Leader To Give Them (Bryan Dodd)

“I have complexity. I need simplicity.” I heard a leader say today.
Life can become very complicated. We are constantly bombarded with information. Technology is changing at a pace that very few can keep up with. Relationships are always challenging.

I struggle with balancing work, parenting, being a husband, recreation, responsibilities, church life, aging parents, and personal growth. Currently, I am trying to read four books and not making much progress in any of them. Thank goodness my wife pays all the bills! I mean, it feels like a personal victory when I get the grass cut.

You know what’s funny. I need to stop whining because I have nothing to complain about. My life is no busier, complicated, or demanding than anyone else’s. We all struggle with balancing life’s tensions.

However, there is hope for all of us! In a word – Leadership. One of the great things about quality leadership is it provides solutions. Solutions bring simplicity.

Here are 10 things leaders provide that bring solutions and simplify your life:

1. Leaders bring inspiration instead of more information.
2. Leaders give direction.
3. Leaders lighten the load.
4. Leaders make additional resources available.
5. Leaders coach.
6. Leaders create and funnel opportunities to their team.
7. Leaders allow time for replenishment and refreshment.
8. Leaders build systems.
9. Leaders prioritize relationships.
10. Leaders say “Thank You”.

So keep your Rubik’s Cube. Complexity is overrated. I need solutions and simplicity. Leaders, what are you doing to bring simplicity to your life as well as those you lead?


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HBR: Keep It Simple

Every generation of leaders thinks it's facing a new set of challenges that require drastically new models of leadership. Certainly today's leaders work in a very different environment, but being an effective manager is not about mastering mysterious and complicated methods. It's about keeping it simple and following old, proven, and even obvious ideas. What made a good leader in the past is still what makes one today: being competent, caring, and benevolent. Before you discard this old model in exchange for the latest reinvention of management, take a close look at the method. Often times it's the same message in a new package.

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