“From him (Christ), the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up, in love, as each part does its work???
(Ephesians 4:16)
Years ago, I learned the importance of building a team based on their strengths. This principle applies in a family unit as well as in the workplace and ministry teams. To build an effective team you need to know your strengths and weakness and the strengths and weakness of those on your team. You build a complementary team. When people are assigned roles they are not suited for and don’t enjoy, they quickly lose excitement and motivation.
What is your style? Are you a visionary? A person who can see the big picture and take risks? Are you a detail person? You see the need for systems and order. Perhaps you are a sales person – good at marketing and motivating. You love people and can sell anything to anyone. Or maybe you just love working by yourself
– hard worker and a producer.Before you are thirty years old you can probably do all of those jobs without too much difficulty. But once you are over thirty, you realize you don’t want to do the things you aren’t good at. It uses up too much energy.
Each of us has unique skills. When we surround ourselves with people who fill in our gaps, we have an effective team. Have you ever noticed how often husbands and wives are so different in their skills and the way they like to do things. Together they make a whole. God has made us to need each other.
Family Team
A few weeks ago our eleven-year-old grandson visited us for a week.? ? His parents were concerned that although he was very athletic and pulled off top marks in school, he was not motivated about work.?
Because we have five acres, there is always something that needs to be maintained and his mother asked us to put him to work.? I asked him, “Bronson, your mom wants you to work for a few hours each day, what do you like doing????
His answer was quick, “I don’t like pulling weeds!???
My husband heard this and remembered the kinds of things he liked to do when he was eleven. He knew what Bronson would enjoy. He taught him to use the sit-on lawn mower and he cut all the lawns twice that week. He showed him how to use the gas-powered blower so our driveway and barns were free from debris. He also taught him how to drive the large tractor to move dirt in the riding arena. Bronson was challenged and motivated all week. He enjoyed working because he was doing what he loved doing.
Work Team
When Staecy began to work as my administrative assistant, I soon recognized that while she loved her job, was very responsible and did a thorough job in whatever she tackled, her eyes sparkled when she did research on the Internet.? She loved discovering how our website could be more effective. So I gave her more research assignments and fewer administrative tasks. I love to see her excited about her work. Ask God to open your eyes to other people’s strengths and encourage them to work in the areas God has gifted them.
~Father, thank You for endowing us with strengths and weaknesses. We ask You to hold us together, help us appreciate each other and work together in love – for your praise and glory. Amen.
Related Links:
Tips for Building a Great Team in Marriage:
http://www.retirementwithapurpose.com/gr_tools.html
Equip the Leaders Around You:
http://www.retirementwithapurpose.com/kjkleadership.html
About the Author
This article was written by Katherine Kehler. You can read more about this author by clicking this link:
http://www.talk.thelife.com/katherine-kehler/
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