Freedom Within A Framework

One of the guiding principles in our Communications Department is: Freedom within a Framework. Don't tell people what to do with a list of rigid policies, but empower them with room to move and create. That's the "freedom" part. The "framework" comes in the form of tools and guidelines (guardrails) to work within. The goal is to eliminate the bottleneck without sacrificing excellence. Don't censor or edit people unless there is a problem.

GCC Blogging Policies [first draft]
     A bad example of freedom within a framework. A little harsh with all of the discipline references. The content is great, but the tone doesn't match our culture.

GCC Personal Blog Best Practices [final version]
    A good example of freedom within a framework. Notice the difference in tone? Helpful resource versus a list of "rules". (Thanks, Jami and Tony, for not letting me send out the first draft.)

You might enjoy knowing that the finished product is an inspired hybrid from the blogging policies of IBM, Yahoo, Sun and Fellowship Church. They did all of the heavy lifting for us.

Comments

[Linda]

I've enjoyed your site so much and found it very helpful as we are endeavoring to set into place a more effective communication strategy for our church. We attended the conference in Houston and thought you might have some examples of strategy that you could share with those of use trying to begin this journey.

[Josh Sargent]

Great Idea! Thanks for sharing.

[Jason]

Thanks for the links. Just beginning a church plant. I hadn't considered the need for a blogging policy or "best practices" document. Since three of the four founding launch team members have blogs, it's not a bad idea. Even though we're just starting, I always have one eye to the future, anticipating what we'll need and setting the framwork in place now so we'll be prepared later.
Thanks again.