Success doesn’t just happen, it is created and requires hard work. Teamwork increases one’s ability to perform and reach levels of success not reachable by an individual. The greater the collaboration among the team, the greater success possible. High performing teams require something from each member to both be successful and to maintain success.
The requirement from the team member is more than just a generic commitment to the team; it will require the following eight commitments regardless of the size of the team for building successful teams:
1/ Commitment to Building Healthy, Lasting Relationships.
Relationships are the glue that holds teams together. It is impossible to have a healthy leadership culture without having healthy relationship culture. Relationships are established by spending time together, having respect and trust for each other, standing up for one another, protecting each other, and being open and vulnerable with each other.
[shareable cite=”@terrylamasters”]A team without relationships is like a car without an engine, a boat without a rudder, a kite without a string.[/shareable]A team without relationships is like a car without an engine, a boat without a rudder, a kite without a string. If we agree that the vision we are to fulfill is larger than anyone of us and the vehicle that takes us to our intended goal is a team, then the relationship is the motor that gets us there. Relationships take time, energy and attention.
2/ Commitment to Communicate.
Open honest communication is critical to establishing a healthy team culture as well for vision fulfillment. Everything rises and falls on leadership; leadership rises and falls on communication! More communication is better than less communication.
Proper communication will create ownership and passion.
- We should communicate as a team about Ministry objectives, strategies, plans and processes.
- Ways to help each other improve. Share your strengths, skills, and successes.
- Any conflicts that might arise. Deal with them immediately, honestly, and biblically.
- Willingness to ask for or give assistance when needed; share weaknesses.
3/ Commitment to Understand before being Understood.
A real key to building a healthy team culture is to build an atmosphere where every person’s thoughts and feelings are completely understood. Too often, we are so passionate about sharing our ideas in a meeting or our concerns in a conflict that we close off others and what they have to offer to the meeting or situation. The result is further confusion and conflict. Learn to listen before formulating an opinion (open-minded), and you just might learn something along the way.
4/ Commitment to Accountability.
There are varying types and degrees of accountability. There are work performance accountabilities, spiritual accountabilities, personal, financial, moral, relational, etc. The level of relationship will greatly determine the level of accountability. Regardless of where you are at with your team and accountabilities, it should be an area that we work hard to increase and improve. A lack of accountability leaves room for mistakes, setbacks, and tragedies, all which greatly affect the function and culture of a team.
If there ever was a season where we should be making sure everyone on our team is thriving versus surviving or dying, it is now. Relationships should be strong enough where we can both ask and receive personal questions about how we are doing in every area of our life.
5/ Commitment to Help Others Succeed.
Philippians 2:4-8 MSG “Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”
You can get much more accomplished if it doesn’t matter who gets the credit. Anyone who is more passionate about elevating their accomplishments more than the team or others will affect the team. Help those above you, around you and under you to succeed in all they do. A team is not a bunch of people being used as puppets for one head-strong domineering leader to fulfill his mission and passions, but a compilation of people all dedicated to seeing, first and foremost the overall mission of the team succeed and secondly to see other reach their God-given potential.
6/ Commitment to Celebrate.
In our fast-paced, intense, pressure-filled, complex lives, we need to learn to celebrate more. We need to celebrate the wins, share the testimonies of God’s goodness (healings, salvations, breakthroughs, etc.). Also we need to make sure we have fun daily.
7/ Commitment to Respect your Differences.
Each one of us is strange birds; no two are alike. Just like in marriage, it is the combination of gifting, talent, ability, and perspective that makes up a better end product. As good as you may be, you still can only see an opportunity, project or problem through one filter; yours!
8/ Commitment to be a Team Player.
The Bible is clear that there is a supernatural synergy that takes place when people come together, set aside their agendas and unify for fulfilling God’s purposes. (Ps.133) It has been said a for decades, “What I am a part of is more important than the part I play.” Team ministry is a value and distinctive.
Lone Rangers, independent spirits, and people with selfish ambitions don’t last long. Not because they are irritating, but because they produce the wrong kind of fruit. Teamwork begins when you start focusing on the ‘we’ not the ‘me.’ We should not only use all the brains we have but all the brains we can borrow.”
If we are going to improve our culture of teams, it recognizes that each of us has the responsibility to each other to embrace and implement these principles into our lives personally.
