4 keys to build up your team and your leadership

Sean Lord Nov. 3, 2020

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Recently I found myself in a dark room and my phone's light just wasn't bright enough. Later that day, a friend showed me that on my iPhone my flashlight has multiple settings, and I had never set mine brighter, so I was operating at 25%. My mind was blown. My phone had this ability for years and I was just finding out about it now!

How many times in life have I been operating at lower capacity simply because I didn't know there was more? How many of my team members have operated with a similar limitation?

Whenever Jesus healed, taught, or led someone to the Father, he always called them to be different. He led them to live differently and to be a better version of themselves today than they were yesterday.

As leaders, we should follow his example and help our teams grow. Part of that is helping them learn. This also requires that welearn. Here are some simple keys to growth in yourself and your team.

1. Learn from the experience of others. Leaders are learners. Leaders are readers. A great leader will always seek out ways to make themselves better, and often the easiest way to do this is to learn from the experience of others. Start reading or listening to a new book. Check out a new podcast. Watch YouTube interviews or talks online. With the unending amount of information at our fingertips, it's easier than ever to learn from the best.
2. Encourage team learning. As we take steps to learn from others' experience, we can encourage this in our teams as well. Add one simple question to your team meetings: "What did you learn this week?" You yourself don't need to always have the answers to your team's growth. Encourage them to learn from others and to bring that wisdom to the table. Your team will grow faster and stronger than if you taught them on your own.
3. Share what you learn right after you learn it. I went four years without knowing my iPhone camera could get any brighter, and because of it I was constantly operating at 25%. The worst part was that most people around me had known about this update the entire time. In your team emails or updates, share something you've learned. Encourage your team to share their own learnings, however insignificant they may seem.
4. Ask questions. This seems obvious, but as leaders we want to encourage this as much as possible. Jesus asked over 300 questions in his lifetime. Teams often know the answers to their own questions. On one hand, we want them to know it's okay to ask us questions as the leader, but on the other, we can help them grow by encouraging them to ask each other.

These steps can continually grow our own leadership while helping our teams grow, too. Before you know it, you and your team will be operating at levels higher than you ever expected.

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Sean Lord is a pastor, husband, and father. He enjoys writing about leadership, theology, and ministry. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and currently pastors at one of the largest churches in the U.S. He spends much of his time mentoring and coaching pastors as well as leaders outside of the church. Learn More »

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