Serving Team Leaders’ Skills, Part 2

Last week we discussed the skill of performance coaching. Today we’re taking a brief look at the skills of managing conflict and dealing with difficult people, communicating effectively, and empowering and delegating.

One of the most challenging skills of a serving team leader is resolving conflict. This skill involves prayer, exploring everyone’s position, seeking alternative solutions, collaboration for win/win compromises, and the expulsion of any resentment or unforgiveness. Sometimes that’s as simple as coaching team members to express “I’m sorry” and ask for forgiveness. In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus gave us an excellent model to follow in dealing with difficult people.

Another skill is communicating with simple, clear, and concise messages. As a team leader, you must not speak recklessly and carelessly (see Proverbs 12:18 ) or simply air your own opinions (see Proverbs 18:2 ). Select the right place and time. Demonstrate trust and care by listening first (see Proverbs 18:13 ). Check your motives when confronting. Ask people to do things instead of telling them.

Another skill is empowerment and delegation. To accomplish a vision greater than yourself consider Jethro’s advice to Moses to help him in the enormous task of settling Israel’s disputes (see Exodus 18:17-26 ). Furthermore, copy Jesus’ model in Luke 9:1-6 and 10:1-17 where he delegated his kingdom work to the 12 disciples and 70 appointed ones.

Several clarifications regarding this last skill:

(1) Delegating is giving responsibility and authority for specific tasks and holding people accountable for results.
(2) Assigning is appointing someone with menial duties that don’t require initiative or growth.
(3) “Dumping,” is neither delegating or assigning, rather, it is a negative skill that amounts to passing off tasks you don’t like or giving too many instructions on how to accomplish a task.

[Next week we will further define delegation with a list of things that should never be delegated.]