Principles Are Better Than Policies
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Someone nukes a big Tupperware full of extra spicy leftover curry. They eat it at their desk. Noses throughout the open office are in distress.
Someone nukes a big Tupperware full of extra spicy leftover curry. They eat it at their desk. Noses throughout the open office are in distress.
You only need a doctors note when off for more than a day. So people call in sick on a Monday or a Friday. Nice long weekend you’ve got there.
How does an organization respond?
We make a policy!
I’m not against policy or procedure. But even genuinely necessary, thoughtfully developed and well communicated policy adds some bureaucratic overhead.
Policy is often nothing more than organizational scar tissue. The same policy that protects us can make us slower.
Relying too much on policy can create a culture where managers are hesitant to make judgement calls.
I worry that sometimes we policify things that could’ve been dealt with by managers on a case by case basis using company values and guidelines.
Curry fumes causing a stir? Have a chat to the person cooking up the storm. It’s not easy, but it’s what leaders do.
Someone milking the leave system? Discuss it with them and see if you can get them back on track.
Better yet, see if you can understand the root cause. Policies can’t figure out WHY someone is taking extra leave days but leaders CAN.
Exceptional leaders are able to make exceptions. Principles are better than policies.
You only need a doctors note when off for more than a day. So people call in sick on a Monday or a Friday. Nice long weekend you’ve got there.
How does an organization respond?
We make a policy!
I’m not against policy or procedure. But even genuinely necessary, thoughtfully developed and well communicated policy adds some bureaucratic overhead.
Policy is often nothing more than organizational scar tissue. The same policy that protects us can make us slower.
Relying too much on policy can create a culture where managers are hesitant to make judgement calls.
I worry that sometimes we policify things that could’ve been dealt with by managers on a case by case basis using company values and guidelines.
Curry fumes causing a stir? Have a chat to the person cooking up the storm. It’s not easy, but it’s what leaders do.
Someone milking the leave system? Discuss it with them and see if you can get them back on track.
Better yet, see if you can understand the root cause. Policies can’t figure out WHY someone is taking extra leave days but leaders CAN.
Exceptional leaders are able to make exceptions. Principles are better than policies.