Team Growth

5 Tips for Effectively Leading Your Team

Why is it such a challenge to get everybody headed and leading in the same direction? Why do team members get frustrated? How do you get them excited about what you are doing?

A few weeks ago, I was driving Madison and her friend to school. To avoid busy school traffic, I turned down a narrow back road.

As we talked about her morning and her after school plans, the passenger side tires left the pavement for a few moments spinning up grass and gravel. I laughed and told Madison to keep her side on the road – the same thing you say to your kids, right?

Then Madison asked, “Dad, why does mom always complain about your driving?” (For the record, Sarah doesn’t ALWAYS complain about my driving. And she complains less today than she used to.)

Strategic Planning and Why Flying by the Seat of the Pants Won’t Cut It

“I’m glad someone around here thinks it’s OK to fly by the seat of your pants rather than planning everything out!”

…Words uttered by one of my esteemed (I use the term loosely) colleagues moments before he poked his head in my office door sporting a big, cheesy grin.

To be fair, we are in the middle of intense strategic planning within our organization. And since my role is responsible for leading the planning process, I am privileged to endure occasional sarcasm.

Don’t get me wrong – I get where he’s coming from.

I mean, is there really ANYONE who feels genuine excitement (I’m talking – goosebumps, hair standing on end – excitement) at the mention of the word planning? Not many.

Coach, Counselor, Mentor, Consultant – Which do you REALLY need?

Every person in the world needs a coach – Everyone! This is the response I received when I asked a senior executive of a billion-dollar company this question – What have you found to be the greatest need in your organization?

Though I highly value coaching – his answer wasn’t what I expected. Maybe I expected him to say improved communication. Possibly, more collaborative teamwork. Or even, more talented team members.

Yet, as I’ve considered his response since our conversation, it makes perfect sense. You see, coaching does facilitate improvements in communication, highly collaborative teamwork, talented and passionate team members, and much more.

I have worked with executive coach Raymond Gleason since 2011. And I highly recommend Building Champions for business and executive coaching and Ministry Coaching International for ministry coaching.

The majority of the content on this blog is concepts I’ve learned through my coaching relationships – with my coach and through coaching others.

So, let’s cut to the chase. If we agree that everyone needs a coach, then what is a coach?

Is a coach a mentor? A friend? A counselor?

Dreams – Are you living yours?

We all have dreams. And most of us believe that we have a special gift. That we can somehow touch the lives of people in a meaningful way. That we can make the world a better place.

At some point in our lives, we’ve all had a vision for what our life and work could become.

What happened to that vision? Has it taken a back seat to the busyness of life? Did it get lost somewhere along your journey through a cluttered and noisy world?

BONUS: I’ve created a NEW Guide that will walk you step-by-step through writing your own Personal Life Plan. You can find out how to get a copy of this life-changing tool at the end of this post.

When Leaders Need Help

No matter who you are or how successful you’ve been, you’ve most likely discovered that you can’t do everything on your own. We know you’re good! – but you “occasionally” benefit from the assistance of others. Even leaders need help!

In fact, when you think you don’t need help, you are telling others that they don’t matter to you. Do you really believe that?

The truth is – all of us together are smarter than any one of us. And all of us together are smarter than all of us apart.

You get that – and so do I. Which is why we occasionally seek feedback or advice from a colleague, a mentor, a coach, or a friend. And we’re better for it!