Disciplines of Thriving Team Leaders

Team leaders create environments where their team members can grow, produce great results, and experience increasing joy. This takes discipline, consistency, and intentionality.

First, they keep the team focused on the mission, “keeping the main thing the main thing.” It’s so easy to get off on tangents, doing good things at the expense of what’s best.

Second, they arrange team member roles with weaknesses and strengths in mind. Last week I talked about “getting the right people on the bus and into the right seats.” Teams that thrive are comprised of people with complementary strengths and weaknesses.

Third, team leaders give careful attention to how decisions are made and team meetings are conducted. Prevent meetings from going too long (hint: have everyone stand when aiming for short meetings), and keep them agenda-driven. One way to ensure you don’t lose focus is by assigning two people (other than the meeting leader) the roles of gatekeeping (calls out people who get off subject) and timekeeping (when agendas have timed items the timekeeper warns when time is about up and calls for action when it is up—issue gets tabled for further discussion at another meeting or a decision is made). Remember that action-oriented meetings will create energy. Delegate tasks with deadlines, specified responsibility, and accountability to ensure that future meetings are not repeats and a waste of time.

Fourth, rely on empowerment and inspiration versus micromanagement, top-down control, and demand. Lead, love, and serve like Jesus.

Fifth, create a culture where your people can win and advance in the Kingdom according to their ability. Set them up for success. When they win, you win!

[Next week we will begin the DOING section of our Phase 3 material with a look at what serving team leaders do.]