Have you read my Performance Evaluations Are Overrated post? Take a look at it. The short version is, in 30 years of leadership I've never seen a performance appraisal that actually improves performance. They are pretty much annual exercises that companies go through to deliver pay increases, etc. They pretty much amount to a "check in the box," with everyone rushing around to get them done. Consequently, very little … [Read more...]
The Sabbatical
An Investment In The Future Of The Church
It's usually around budgeting time each year when the importance of the sabbatical is reconsidered. At first glance, it's not a very good idea to provide a pastor with a sabbatical. Right? The pastor is gone for an extended period, resulting in the need to hire replacement speakers or otherwise meet the ministry's need in the pastor's absence. In most cases, the church provides some form of a stipend to allow the … [Read more...]
Performance Evaluations Are Overrated
Do Performance Evaluations Really Improve Performance?
Performance appraisals are good. Right? Of course, periodically giving people feedback on their performance is a good thing. Isn’t it? I guess that depends on what you mean by a “good thing.” Doing performance appraisals seems like a good thing to do intuitively, but have you ever given any thought to what they actually accomplish? No … I mean “really” give it some thought. They give managers something to do at … [Read more...]
Corrective Action
Some Things To Consider When Formalizing A Corrective Action Process For Your Church's Staff
Here are some of the main things to consider, when writing a procedure that is supposed to help staff members know when they have behaviors or performance problems that need to change or be corrected. First, church leadership must make sure every staff member understands expectations. This is done in many ways including the job description, strategic plan (including mission, vision, values, and key objectives), … [Read more...]