Working in a team environment is more productive, creative and satisfying than working alone. The benefits of sharing, whether a challenge, a project or a group assignment, are greater in goal accomplishment together. The writer of Ecclesiastes put it this way, “By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped” (Ecclesiastes 4:12 MSG)
Every effective Christian leader has Christ and God’s vision for your church as their primary focus. Leading a Ministry effectively is not about you or your people. It is about Christ. If we lose sight of what God wants it is the beginning of the end. In the business world we start to see the early stages of bankruptcy. In the Ministry, the terms are different but the end result is the same.
Effective leaders stimulate energy; ineffective leaders waste it.
As a group leader or a member of a self-managed team, ask yourself and your team these nine questions on a regular basis.
- What is working well?
- What’s not working effectively?
- What strains your energy on this project?
- Is there anything about this project that drains you?
- How can the team help and support?
- What ideas do you have that haven’t been discussed?
- What progress are you making?
- On a scale of one to ten, how are you feeling personally and why?
- How can we be praying for you?
As a team player, your primary focus is putting Christ first. As a growing leader, read through Matthew, “But seek ye first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33 NIV) It is essential for every leader and every team member to have their priorities set in the right direction.
Leadership is knowing and demonstrating that there isn’t an ‘I’ in Team.
Yours in Service,
Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach
Jethro Group