The ABC’s of Policies

It’s that time of year, we see school supplies lining the store aisles.  While summer is still here, it won’t be too long before we start feeling that chill in the air.  This is the season for back to school! 

As is the case with back to school, its good to review the basics.  Let’s start with the ABC’s of Policies

• Awareness: A policy is only as good as how it’s communicated.  If your organization has a policy that no one knows about it or understands it, is it really even a policy?  Think about it, how can a policy be followed, provide guidance, or mitigate issues if it’s living in a drawer somewhere and no one understands it?  So, let’s bring awareness to that policy.  Communicate early, often, and clearly around what the policy is and how to adhere to it.

• Balance: There’s a very common assumption that policies are in place to get people in ‘trouble’, which isn’t really the full story.    Policies at their core are a set of expectations…sometimes when expectations aren’t met there can be consequences.  However, policies can’t just be negative.  They need to find balance.  Providing a positive tone and air of helpfulness along with clear framework for expectations, creates a much-needed balance in policies.

• Consistency: It’s one thing to put a policy in place, but it’s another to make sure you’re adhering to it.  This brings us to our last topic… consistency.  Policies don’t work without consistency!  Consistently enforcing it, consistently communicating it, consistently updating it as needed.  You see, policies need to have language that reflects what’s actually happening… not just what you think should happen. 

Take these ABC’s policies, rise and repeat.  Apply as needed.