I truly believe that a big reason God led me to the World Race was to learn more about leadership. I was a team leader for 8 months, and it was probably one of the most challenging yet rewarding things I've ever done. Looking back on month 1 I can confidently say I really had no idea what I was in for. But 10 months later I have a little more insight on the whole leadership thing. So for what it's worth, from one team leader to another (or to anyone else reading this), here are a few tips from Joe:
1.) The talk will determine the walk.
We have all heard the phrase, “less talk more walk”. But here is the thing, a big part of your walk will be determined by your talk. The culture of your team will be determined by the first few team discussions. Set a tone of light heartedness and fun.. but also one of sincerity genuineness, and intensity. Make that a priority early on with your team. The more you are eager to have edifying talks, the more everyone else will be. But make sure to get everyone speaking. Ask provoking questions. Don’t take those “team norms” lightly. Have fun with it though.. get some snacks and just converse about the culture you all desire to live in for the next few months. Hopeful talks have potential to really inspire people, and an inspired team is more likely to see a fruitful month than an uninspired one.
2.) Forget the “team leader” title, just be someone worth following
If you’re relying on your title as “team leader” to have influence on your team, you’ve got it all wrong. You’re leadership is defined by how you first and foremost lead yourself. You are the main “tone-setter" of the team whether you like it or not, so walk worthy of that calling. People don't want to follow people who just tell them what to do, they want to follow people who inspire them. But the thing is, you cant give what you don't have. Be inspired yourself first by Jesus, and just like him go places others are afraid of going. If others know you are following Jesus, they won't think twice about following you.
3.) Embrace the feedback
I wish I learned to love feedback from day one. Feedback is one of the greatest gifts of the world race. It’s a safe place to “call people up”, and you most likely won’t have the opportunity to do it everyday ever again, unless you make it happen. Get the most you can out of it. One of the best ways is to set a culture of inviting it. I wish I did a better job at this. As a leader, everyone is going to have an opinion on how you are doing things. The thing is, those opinions are kind of worthless and petty if they aren’t being heard. Ask the team how you are doing. What you can be doing better and how you can be serving them better. Ask, if they were leading a team, what might they would do differently. It takes a lot of humility to do that though, and security in yourself. If it’s nerve wrecking, ask yourself two questions:
“What am I hesitant to ask?”, and “Why am I hesitant to ask it?”
A mature, secure, humble leader should be able to ask anyone anything. Don’t focus on merely appearing excellent, focus instead on excellency itself. Ask yourself if you’re just trying to be right, or are you trying to be credible. I struggled a ton with this and if I just got over my insecurities earlier on, I could have gotten so much more feedback that was actually beneficial to me and my future. As Andy Stanley said, “What you want to hear least is generally what you need to hear most."
4.) Share your leadership
One of the biggest mistakes I made early on as a team leader was trying to do everything myself. Even when my squad leaders, coaches and mentor would tell me not to, I just couldn't help but feel like the sun rose and fell on me. I now look back and realize I did this because honestly.. I was insecure in my leadership. You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone though, you’re a team leader because they chose you for you. Don’t try and change yourself once you become a leader. So operate out of your strengths and learn to share your weak spots with others. Yes, the world race is about challenging yourself to grow in your weaker areas too, but don’t spend too much time operating out of the places where you aren’t comfortable.
5.) Drop the authority and pick up the responsibility
Don’t think about the authority you now have as a team leader (although that will be needed a times), but rather, think about the responsibility you have instead. I’ve heard it said,
“Leadership is a posture of indebtedness to the people you are leading.”
You are indebted to the people you are leading. Care about their personal growth, care about breakthrough in their lives, care that they are picking up courage and not passivity, care about their character. Don’t, not even for a single day, devalue the honor it is to be in a leadership position and see people grow in their passions in life.
6.) A heard team is a happy team
Listening is important. A team member that feels heard is more likely to own their part on the team. And the more they take their part on owning the team the more they will be developed as leaders themselves (which should also be your goal as a leader, to develop other leaders). But the more you try and do things on your own without listening to others, the more you’ll just build an unnecessary wall between the team and yourself. The more you build that wall the more you’ll promote the “I can do it better if I were the leader” attitude from those on your team.
So just simply listen to your team. Know the loves and hates of each member, their passions and their fears. Find out what would be best for the team as a whole (more solitude time, more fun team times, more testimonies, more prayer for the country etc.) and make that one of your main missions during the month. A leader who doesn’t listen to his team will eventually be surrounded by teammates who have nothing helpful to say.
7.) Stick to the mission
There are going to be some challenging months as a team leader. But the hard months are the ones you remember, and you typically see the most growth in those months. So take heart and don’t be discouraged. Through the tough times it is so important to clarify the mission and be the voice of hope on the team.
No matter how difficult your contact is, and no matter how lackluster or nonexistent your ministry is, the mission can always be to grow more into Christ likeness and be a blessing to those around you.
Ask the team, “What are some things we want to see by the end of the month?” “Who are some people we want to bless as a team, and how can we do that?” “How can we grow in intimacy with the Father this month?” “What are some ways we can bond as a team?” Sit down and set these goals and always clarify your mission through the tough times and I promise it will pay off. No matter how apathetic and complacent you team may seem don't be hesitant to change the atmosphere. Be courageiously obedient to the little promptings of the Spirit. As N.T. Wright says, "Stand humbly in the counsel of God so that you can stand boldly in the counsel of men"
8.) Keep your tank full
Burnout doesn’t come from serving too much. Burnout comes from a lack of intimacy with God. If you aren’t spending time fixing your eyes on the face of Jesus, you won’t find him in the face of the people around you. Wise leaders know how to stay consistent and far away from burnout. Drop the people pleasing and learn to take time for yourself. It's actually a good thing to get away even when nobody else is doing it.. it's a reminder for others to do the same. The life of a disciple is a constant breathing in, and breathing out. Breathe in the presence of God and breathe out his love on everyone around you. Loving from the fullness of God's joy in you is much more powerful than your own attempt at love.
9.) If you serve, you’ll be great
In Mark 9:33 the disciples were arguing with one another about who was the greatest. Jesus asked the disciples what they were talking about, but they kept silent in shame. The thing is, Jesus didn’t get mad at them for wanting to be the greatest. In fact, he encouraged that mindset, but he just defined for them what greatness looked like in his Kingdom. Jesus said, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” So be a great team leader, but just know what that takes. It is going to take persistent, and sometimes unappreciated love, patience with annoyances, encouraging others even when you don’t feel like you’re being encouraged, going beyond what is being asked of you, commitment to messy relationships, lots of listening and lots of questions. Be the person you wish were on the race with you. Do things when you don't feel like doing them. Especially when you don't feel like doing them, because it trains a muscle in you that is very valuable in this life.
Team leading well is not an easy thing at all. It actual takes a level of sacrifice, vision and commitment. But if you dare enter into this level of sacrificial and servant leadership, I promise you one thing..
.. you will continue to see more and more of God.
