Are Conventions Necessary to Support Policies? De’Leigh would say yes … and here is why:

“This week I was asked by a student what was the difference between a policy and a convention, do you need to have both and if so, how do you get buy in and results?”

Conventions: Are the unwritten rules] and norms that guide behaviour and play a vital role in supporting both statutory and mandatory policies.

Policies: Are the legal and procedural framework, and the conventions shape how those policies are interpreted, implemented, and sustained in practice.

In governance, for example, conventions foster trust, continuity, and ethical conduct where legislation may be silent. They help bridge gaps between rigid rules and real-world complexities, ensuring that decision-making remains principled and consistent. Without conventions, policies risk being applied in ways that are at best technically correct but ethically questionable or socially disruptive and at worst inconsistent and subject to bias.

Moreover, conventions often reflect shared values and institutional memory. They encourage collaboration, accountability, and cultural alignment, especially in multi-stakeholder environments where rigid compliance alone is not enough.

In short, policies tell us what to do; conventions guide us how to do it responsibly, consistency and ethically. Together, they form the backbone of effective, ethical leadership.

Once the policy is drafted and ready to roll, building the supporting conventions should be the easy bit, as it involves establishing the unwritten norms and behavioural expectations that support and guide the practical application of that policy. This process typically includes:

·      Engaging stakeholders to understand shared values and practical realities that the policy must align with.

·      Documenting common practices and ethical standards that complement the formal rules.

·      Communicating these conventions clearly alongside the policy to ensure consistent interpretation.

·      Encouraging leadership and role modelling to embed these conventions into organisational culture.

·      Reviewing and adapting conventions regularly to reflect evolving contexts and lessons learned from policy implementation or industry reports.