Those Negative Policies

When we have presented the basics of policy-based governance to members of the congregation, many, many of you noted your discomfort with the use of negative statements when delineating the limitations for the Executive (in the Governance Document for those of you who have lost track).  In the book, Reinventing Your Board, the Carvers say this:

Even when board members understand the theoretical reasons, it is common in implementation for boards to question the principle that staff means [what the staff does] be controlled by the board through the use of negatively worded or proscriptive policies.  A frequently voiced concern is that the language (The CEO shall not cause or allow...") is awkward and is unacceptably negative in tone.  [Hey, have they been attending our meetings?]  While we are sympathetic to the complaint of awkwardness, we urge boards to notice that while proscriptive policies are verbally negative, they are psychologically very positive to the recipient.  The message received is, "So long as you do not do these few proscribed things, anything else will have our support."  This is the same as the board's preapproving any action of the CEO that is not in violation of the board's stated criteria about unacceptable means.

The Carvers further advise:  "Constraining language allows greater empowerment.  Get used to the awkwardness; it's worth it."