Choosing a School

Which elementary school would you send your child to? One was built more than 50 years ago, a fact that is obvious the minute you drive up. It has no “curb appeal” on the outside, and the interior reveals a poor layout and an aging structure. The other school is a sparkling new facility, with bright hallways and classes that are equipped with the latest technology. Which would you choose? The best answer is, “I don’t know, because the physical facility is a small factor in the quality of the education.” In truth, I’ve just described the same school before and after a rebuilding program. Same administration and most of the same teachers in both cases. But the interesting fact is that the school’s student population has grown by more than 50% during four years in the new building. Why? Because people tend to make decisions based on superficial factors. This has at least two major implications for your leadership. If your mission calls for your church or ministry or non-profit to connect with a broad audience, you need to pay attention to these external factors. Complain all you want that this is silly or doesn’t convey the essence of who you are – you’re not going to change human nature. If you don’t help them get past these barriers, they’ll never experience the internal quality. You may not be able to demolish and rebuild an aging facility, but you can take simple steps to enhance your reputation and physical appearance. Second, guard against this tendency in your own leadership. As you’re considering who to hire for that next staff position, don’t be over-influenced by physical appearance or an eye-catching resume. Don’t commit to a “silver bullet” program based on the eloquent testimony of one advocate. Slow down and look deeper. The good news for the many parents that chose the elementary school post-construction is that the inside educational quality matched the new building. Will that be true for you? It’s easy to receive my blogs by email. Just sign-up on Feedburner by clicking here.]]>