If you haven’t read Part 1 (Mind the Gaps) and Part 2 (The Grass is Greener Complex) of this series, take a few minutes and go back. Those lay the foundation for where we’re headed. This series isn’t just about building great teams—it’s about identifying the subtle, sometimes unspoken dynamics that kill great teams.
Now for Part 3: Exception vs. Rule.
This team killer isn’t about attitude, performance, or even talent—it’s about culture. And more specifically, understanding the culture you’re working in. Miss this, and you’re setting yourself (and your team) up for constant frustration, confusion, and possibly burnout.
What Do I Mean by Exception vs. Rule?
Every organization leans toward one of two types of cultural wiring: Exception-Over-Rule Culture or Rule-Over-Exception Culture. Let’s break them down.
Exception-Over-Rule Culture
In this type of culture, the guidelines are flexible. There may be policies, sure—but they’re more like suggestions than commandments. The unspoken motto is: “We’ll figure it out as we go.”
Need to bypass a process? Go ahead.
Need to make a game-time decision? Totally fine.
Need to work outside your job description? Expected.
This kind of culture is nimble, quick, and creative. It thrives on flexibility and favors people who can improvise and adapt.
But… if you’re a by-the-book kind of person, this will drive you crazy. You’ll ask, “Why even have rules if no one follows them?” You’ll create systems, and watch them get ignored. You’ll push for consistency and be told, “Let’s just get it done for now.”
Rule-Over-Exception Culture
On the flip side, this culture values order, clarity, and consistency. The rules exist for a reason, and everyone is expected to play by them—even if there’s a good reason not to.
Want to change something? Submit a form.
Need to do something out of the ordinary? Let’s take it to the committee.
Even if it makes sense to bend a rule… Sorry, we can’t.
This culture thrives on structure and protects the organization from chaos. But it can also stifle innovation, delay decisions, and frustrate high-capacity leaders who feel like they’re being asked to color inside the lines with a crayon that’s already broken.
So, What’s the Team Killer?
The killer isn’t the culture itself. Both styles have pros and cons.
The real danger comes when no one knows what kind of culture they’re in—or worse, they expect one culture but are living in another. If you’re a rule-follower in an exception-driven church, you’ll feel like the ground is always shifting under your feet. If you thrive on flexibility but work in a rule-heavy organization, you’ll feel handcuffed and uninspired.
Over time, this mismatch leads to frustration, bitterness, and burnout—not because anyone is doing anything wrong, but because no one called it out.
Know What Game You’re Playing
Here’s the key takeaway: Know what kind of culture you’re in.
Ask yourself:
- Does my organization value flexibility over consistency?
- Do we make room for creative solutions or default to policy?
- When something needs to change quickly, do we move or stall?
Once you understand which way the organization leans, you can:
- Align Your Expectations: Don’t expect a rules-based culture to operate with exception-level flexibility. And don’t expect an exception-driven team to suddenly create airtight systems.
- Adapt Where You Can: If you love rules but live in an exception culture, learn to loosen your grip a little. If you love freedom but serve in a rule-driven organization, find creative ways to innovate within the boundaries.
- Call It Out (Kindly): Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is help your team see what’s really going on. “Hey, I think we’re living in a ‘rules-first’ culture… but we keep trying to lead like it’s an ‘exceptions-are-fine’ environment.”
- Decide if it’s a Fit: This might sound harsh, but it’s honest: if the culture drives you crazy and you can’t adapt, it might not be the right place for you. Culture misalignment isn’t a failure; it’s clarity.
Every team has its own rhythm. The goal isn’t to change the culture—it’s to understand it so we can lead effectively within it. So, whether your team loves structure or lives in chaos, make sure everyone knows what game you’re playing. It might be the difference between a frustrated team and a thriving one.
That wraps up our Team Killers series—three subtle culture killers that can take down even the strongest teams if we don’t call them out. Let’s lead with clarity, serve with humility, and name what’s real. Your team will thank you.
Looking to learn more and grow in community? FILO Cohorts are for you! These small groups, led by a FILO Cohort Leader, are designed to help church technical artists process challenges, strengthen their leadership, and grow spiritually.
