Team Life Characteristics - Part 9

As a team member I want to know where we are going and I want to be confident that you can get us there. Communicate your vision. I need to know your strategy: How are we establishing the church among all people everywhere?

More importantly allow me to help develop the strategy. Give credence to my ideas. Nothing values me more than when you give me a voice. If I do not have a voice it is because you do not value it.

You want me to buy in, allow me to speak. You do not have to do what I say. I do not need to be in charge. I want a voice. I want to speak without getting my hand slapped. Allow me to participate then I will give you all I got.

I want to give you a voice but please do make me regret it. I have been burned in the past, not by you but others. I have opened myself up, asked others to participate and have been burned. You may have had your hand slapped. I have been betrayed. I do not blame you for it but it takes effort for me to open myself back up.

So when I give you a voice, speak with humility. Do not get upset if we choose not to take your suggestion. Be open to other team members input. Do not dominate the conversation. Do not become passive progressive.

Give your input, allow for feedback, keep the team first

If you own your position, you will eventually lose your identity. You give input to leaders then let it go. If they choose to do it, great, but your identity is not based upon it. For a team member to be a good advisor, they need to speak their mind, tell 100 percent of their truth, then walk away.

Team leaders, for you to fulfill your calling and for the team to fulfill its mission, you have to learn to collaborate. The collective intelligence is always greater than your intelligence. You have to pull out the genius of others. You cannot be defensive. You cannot predetermine outcomes. Make yourself influenceable and you will grow your influence.