A local hospital unintentionally tried to starve a friend of mine. Hospitalized for over ten days, she came to dread meals rather than look forward to them. Every meal arrived hours late and looked and tasted like there was no real food in the food. So I put together a goodie bag and whipped up a requested smoothie, and set out to deliver the goods and some cheer if I could.
Well, the folks at hospital reception threw some wrenches into my plan. Still in effect was a temporary COVID-inspired policy that allowed only two designated people to visit each patient during their entire stay. The environment has changed, and with low caseloads, vaccination proof, rapid tests, masks, and distancing, the policy no longer seems to make sense. The continued rule of keeping visitors out hurts some patients more than helps them.
Most organizations develop and hold onto a rule long past its prime. You might find these rules lingering around certification, registration, or sponsorship. These rules may have served the organization well in the past, but now, they mostly frustrate members.
Spotting and abandoning an old rule is one more way of getting rid of barriers to engagement.
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