Our policies are here to help, not stress out our team. They should feel like a nudge in the right direction—not a bunch of rules to memorize. Here's how we keep it simple, clear, and a little enjoyable to read:
1. Keep It Short (Smart Brevity!)
- Keep it short and to the point. Headlines and bullets are your best friends.
- If it can be said in a sentence, don’t use a paragraph. Time is precious.
- Provide extra detail only where absolutely necessary.
2. Friendly & Easy to Understand
- Write like you're talking to a teammate over coffee—not like a lawyer drafting a contract.
- Avoid corporate jargon (unless it’s completely unavoidable).
- Keep it clear and simple. Don’t make anyone feel like they need a law degree to understand the policy.
3. Trust Over Control
- Our policies should reflect that we trust our team members to make the right decisions!
- No micromanaging language. Instead, give team members guidelines to make good decisions.
- Example: Instead of "All expenses must obtain approval from management," try "We trust you to spend wisely. For big purchases, give your manager a heads-up first."
4. Keep It Open
- Assume our policies could be shared with the world (because they probably will be!).
- If it’s not super strategic or proprietary, it should be handbook-friendly and transparent.
Let’s keep policies light, helpful, and empowering. Do you have an example in mind? Let’s make it happen!