Serving Team Leaders’ Skills, Part 1

One of the main skills of a serving team leader is performance coaching, including an ongoing focus on the vision or big picture. Team leaders must provide the overall direction and goals of the team, making sure to set very clear expectations. Coaching for better performance can only happen when expectations are constantly stated and made clear.

In Luke 9:1-6 and 10:1-20, Jesus sent out two groups of disciples. In both situations, he gave very clear instructions and set expectations. In the latter passage, he conducted performance coaching, redirecting the basis of their joy.

Related to this skill is praise for performance; it should be immediate and specific. Note Jesus’ feedback to Peter in Matthew 16:13-19. The longer you wait to give approval the less impact it will have.

Poor performance also needs to be corrected and redirected. In Mark 10:13-16, Jesus immediately corrected the disciples regarding their attitude and posture toward children. Like praise, correction should be done as soon as possible after wrong behavior is observed. Be specific. Express your feelings and the negative impact their behavior had on the team and the mission. Focus on the behavior rather than attacking the person. Lastly, reaffirm your belief in them and what you expect of them in the future.

In conclusion, always give evaluation and feedback on performance—both positive and negative. Don’t avoid conflict; deal with it according to Matthew 18:15-17. In light of conflict, consider asking the following questions:
(a) What is positive about the other person/position?
(b) Why am I taking my position? Is the report true, or is there something behind it?
(c) What is most important in this situation?
(d) What alternative solutions are there? Which of them could I live with?
(e) How have I contributed to this situation? Do I need to repent of anything?

[Next week we will look at a few more skills of serving team leaders.]