Internationally Recognized Authority on
Respectful, Effective Policy Language.
Lewis holds university degrees in both law and linguistics and has spent decades applying them across public- and private-sector environments. Combining academic grounding with practices drawn from communication and change management, his Perfect Policies™ approach replaces traditional authoritarian policy language with modern, respectful phrasing that encourages cooperation and sparks engagement.
Most organizations still rely on wording that sounds like parents scolding children: Employees must always or We do not tolerate X. That tone might have worked a generation ago. It falls short today. Modern workplaces run best when founded on willing cooperation, not forced obedience.
Rules have a voice that sends signals about the culture underlying them, and employees assume that voice accurately reflects leadership. When the tone and structure of your policies project respect and positive intent, people respond in kind. Resistance drops. Engagement rises. Compliance becomes a natural outcome rather than a battle.
With over four decades of experience in adult education — and the battle scars to prove it — Lewis is a highly skilled workshop facilitator and a seasoned coach. He offers organizations practical, repeatable techniques for drafting policies, standards, and procedures that are clear, succinct, and respectful.
His multi-disciplinary approach leads to smoother consultations and approvals, and produces rules that employees are far more willing to support.
Lewis lives in Ottawa, Canada — yes, by choice. He often travels for work and speaks regularly at conferences around the globe. He’s most easily persuaded to accept engagements in places with clear, warm ocean water and a sandy beach.
He’s on a mission to change how people approach rule-making… and he loves company.
Speed Up Policy Development
Earlier work includes the creation and maintenance of the Master List of Newsgroup Hierarchies (1995–2004)