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This is my personal blog. I regularly write about church leadership and infrastructure development, including specifics on

leadership techniques and the details of implementing systems, processes, and methods that enable the church to succeed.

Decisions Based on Data

Decisions Based on Data

September 10, 20241 min read

The "If It's Not Broken, Don't Fix It" Method of Deciding What Needs "Fixing"

I'm sure you've heard the expression, "If it's not broken, don't fix it." This has been one of my fundamental guidelines for almost as long as I've been a leader. I've seen it so many times. Leaders get bored and think they need to "meddle" in something that doesn't need attention. Based on a "feeling" or "intuition," they focus on something just fine as is.

Or, worse yet, a leader who thinks "the problem" is this when it's that. How do we know, as leaders, what should demand our attention?

I want to pause here for just a moment to point out a crucial distinction. There's a difference between "continuous improvement" and an emotional (or other gut feelings) need to "fix" something that's not broken. Can just about everything be improved? Sure. We're talking about making decisions to improve a system or process based on something other than a "gut feel" or "opinion" that it's broken. Whether it's continuous improvement or some major issue that needs to be fixed immediately, "data" is required to make any decisions.

As senior leaders, the first question we must ask when we're told something needs to be fixed is, "Why?" We should say, "Show me the data." When we're told there's no data, our response should be, "Then why do you think it needs to be fixed? Go collect some data and come back and see me."

"What about those things that are hard to measure?" you might be thinking. I say, "There's no such thing." I agree many systems are difficult to measure, but for the most part, everything can be measured. Remember, feedback from those involved in the process, opinion surveys, etc., is "data."


Founder of Executive Pastor Online, passionate about what Jesus calls us to do through the local church.

Kevin Stone

Founder of Executive Pastor Online, passionate about what Jesus calls us to do through the local church.

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