Communication is vitally important in leadership. Regardless of what you may want to believe, people cannot read your mind, nor can you read theirs. One of the greatest landmines in ministry is unrealistic expectations. That potential catastrophe can be avoided with proper (prayerful) planning and careful communication of that plan. Many leaders are visionaries who can see the preferred future, but can those you lead envision it as well? Who are the other leaders around you, or that you are developing, who desperately need a clearer picture of the vision for the ministry God has placed you in together?
Leaders are self-starters and usually very entrepreneurial. Often, they are visionaries who love initiating new projects and initiatives. They are not afraid to fail. Visionaries will charge the next hill, hoping to figure out what they will do when they get there. Let me repeat a saying, with an addition: “Plan your work, work your plan, and make sure everyone on the team knows the plan.” Poor communication of God’s vision and plan for your church can easily blow up in your face and cripple the health of your church. If you do not attend to the details well, the overall impact could be blunted.
You have probably seen the acronym “TEAM” before: Together Everyone Accomplishes More. In Leading Leaders, Mac Lake stated, “An effective team is a group of people who are committed to each other and are using their unique gifts in a collaborative manner to accomplish a common cause. The leader’s role is to unite this group of people so that they are truly connecting with each other, enjoying each other, working together and getting the desired results.” Wow, that is so good. This is why communication is so vitally important. Remember, “Clarity is kindness.”
Your team is looking for someone, most likely you, “to provide clarity, communication and vision to accomplish the vision.” Good team meetings are a necessity for this to happen, and you must plan them wisely. Here are five elements to consider:
• Take some initial time to connect and break the ice. Check in on how everyone is doing and if anyone is struggling. Be sensitive enough to stop and pray for concerns, burdens and challenges. One thing you might consider asking is for everyone to share one thing God has been teaching them lately. This can open the door for God to speak.
• Celebrate what God has already done and is presently doing. This doesn’t have to take a long amount of time, but it is essential to ask, “Since the last time we met, what is something we’ve seen God do that we can celebrate?” Stop again for prayer and allow someone to pray, thanking God for His blessings.
• Coach your team through a WIN (What is going Well? Where do we need to Improve? What do we need to do Next? and other good questions). You want to learn and discover together how to improve and minister to others more effectively.
• Communicate by making sure everyone understands their responsibilities and any important upcoming events and updates. When leaving the meeting, you should have clearly communicated the goals so that everyone understands three key points: what needs to be done, who is responsible and by when it must be completed.
• Demonstrate care by asking how you can pray for one another moving forward, and then pray. This step actively invites God into the process and connects everyone at a much deeper level.
Who on your team needs to be communicated with personally, and what needs to be communicated? Schedule regular meetings that fit your team’s rhythms with a healthy balance between meeting too often and not meeting enough. Walk them through the five-step process of checking in and receiving their observations. Honest feedback is healthy and should be considered, discussed and celebrated. These meetings normally include the staff (paid and unpaid) and other leaders who should be a part of the process. Who needs to be present to ensure a healthy communication strategy for your church?
Consider having planned and unplanned leadership meetings. Do not assume that all is well just because no one is presently complaining. Do not overlook those who always work hard and never say anything. Do not take them for granted by assuming they understand the vision. Make sure you are connecting and communicating with the low-maintenance influencers in your church. Know who they are and then ask them to go out and have coffee with you. When influencers begin to understand the why behind what you are doing, they are much more apt to support you in the journey.
Here are four great questions to consider asking yourself when thinking through who else you might need to meet with:
• Is there anyone I need to thank?
• Is there anyone I need to encourage?
• Is there anyone I need to follow up with?
• Is there anyone I need to check in on?
These questions help you prayerfully process people you might need to reach out to and connect with. There are leaders around you who appear not to need anything. They work very independently and are always getting things done, but those are the ones you should think through how you might be able to meet with.
These impromptu meetings may not be to plan, fix, correct or dream about anything specific. These can be times to focus on encouragement and showing your appreciation for their service and dedication. There are several groups where communication needs to be intentional and consistent. Your paid and volunteer staff, your ministry leaders, your small group leaders and others who are defined by their roles and placement in the church. Also, there are the unintentional, spontaneous meetings you need to remain sensitive to, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you to them and in those conversations.
