As leaders, we must work impactfully with individuals and just as effectively with teams.
I have compiled practical tips for your interactions through leadership that will grow trust, influence, and results with others, whether a large group or a party of one, ultimately benefiting your ministry.
Let’s dive in, first focusing on EIGHT ways to lead individuals.
1. When you hire or even recruit volunteers, you’re not just hiring a set of hands to do some tasks.
You have to think about how this hire, how this position grows your capacity and the organization’s capacity. Otherwise, as a leader, you’re going to be doing everything. This is critical.
When you select someone, you mustn’t just think this is a job, project, or task. This person’s role represents some responsibility and all this connects to working with individuals.
2. In working with individuals on your team, we recommend establishing weekly meetings with key individuals.
Pat Lencioni talks about how when it’s all said and done; he just cannot find any evidence in all the fantastic organizations he’s worked with that there’s anything that’s a substitute for a weekly meeting rhythm, especially with key leaders.
3. No matter who they are or their role, each staff member desires more from you as a leader.
Survey after survey shows this. They want more time with their leader. That’s the one thing they desire. How you use your time and know where your time’s going connects directly to your ability to do that well.
4. Establish the non-negotiables.
Instead of telling people how to do a job, get clear about the non-negotiables for the project. Don’t micromanage what they do, but let them know the four or five things that you have firm opinions about.
5. Serve people in your highest and best ways.
Remove obstacles from people. Simplify and clarify things for people. Help them prioritize. Coach them for growth.
6. Limit the decisions you make for people.
Instead, coach people through their own decisions. It’s very natural. As a leader, people want you to make decisions, and they want you to make decisions for them. Often, that creates an unhealthy use of time and energy, and you need to help them grow. So when someone comes to you for a decision, work to get your default response to be “how can I help this person make that decision?”
7. Following your example, help team members develop a personal or professional growth plan.
I’ve done this as our team has continued to grow. We’ve built some trust. And I’ll say, “Hey, what’s your growth plan? What are your goals long term? Maybe there are ways I can support and add to that. Maybe there are resources that I can suggest.” And invite them to do that.
8. Clarify your decision-making methods using the four types of decisions when working with individuals or teams.
Command. This is my decision. I’m the leader. I’m making this decision.
Consensus. Let’s work, talk, think, and plan together. Let’s make a decision we can all agree with. And that, of course, means that everyone at least partly disagrees.
Consultative. I’ll make the final decision on this, but I need a lot of input and advice from others. I haven’t made a decision yet, but I need to make a decision. Please help me by giving me some feedback and advice.
And then lastly, delegate. I’m giving you the responsibility of making the decision. I’m available for input or support along the way.
The more you can get clear in your mind what kind of decision is being made and what type of decision is needed before making the decision, the more you’ll find your influence and effectiveness as a leader has grown.
None of these are better or worse all the time. They are tools in your toolkit. Certain situations demand certain types of decisions. Certain kinds of decisions and specific settings are more effective than others.
If you teach your team this, they will also start holding you accountable. “Okay, well, what kind of decision are we making? You are asking for our input and advice, but you’ve already decided. Why are we talking about this?” The reality is you just want to bring them along. A team learning this has been transformational.
Whether you are leading individuals or teams, God has placed you where you are on purpose with a purpose. We are thrilled to come alongside you and run this race. Step by step, tip by tip, keep moving forward, good and faithful servant!
Please put your information in my personal contact list, so that we can continue to connect on these principles via text.