An effective leader will fight for their team. A team who serves with a sense of being inspired, protected and valued will be successful and committed. Here are 5 ways to champion your team as a leader.
SET CLEAR EXPECTATIONS FROM THE BEGINNING
This may not sound like a way to be your team’s champion, but if you’ve cast a clear vision for profound worship and what it’s going to take to get there, they will get excited and get on board. No one wants to be on a train that’s not going anywhere. Those team members with limited skill or experience appreciate it when their leader pushes them because they know they’re going to be better for it in the end. This also sets a tone for the whole team. When peers are meeting and exceeding expectations, weaker team members will typically feel the pressure and rise to the occasion. A leader who lets things slide with regards to preparation, excellence and commitment and then tries to raise the bar later on will have a difficult road ahead and should be prepared for a ton of flack from their team.
RESOURCE FOR SUCCESS
Give your team everything they need to be successful. For team members with busy schedules, one of the easiest things you can do is simply make sure they have the schedule and charts in a timely manner. Some other things you can do is have the platform set up and ready to go when they arrive for rehearsal so they’re not searching for a guitar stand or the mic for their amp. It could also be something as simple as asking them about their monitor mix and offering to help get it right rather than waiting for them to complain about it. All of these things demonstrate that you’re looking out for them.
POSITION FOR SUCCESS
Many of us have those on our team who are skilled on several instruments or styles of playing, but typically they have a favorite one. These individuals will tell you that they will serve wherever you need them. That’s OK, but just because you don’t have a bass player, don’t keep you’re best lead guitar player on bass simply because you don’t have anyone else. In the long run, they will get frustrated. Make sure they get to do their “thing” and give them an opportunity to shine where their strengths lie. They may not tell you, but they will appreciate your consideration.
PROTECT AGAINST BURNOUT
Those who love to be part of the worship team will not always let you know if they are starting to grow weary. Even for those who want to serve every week, don’t let them. Even if you’ve exhausted all of your other options, it’s better to go without an instrument than to use someone on the team who is spiritually, emotionally and physically tired. Allowing band members to worship from the congregation from time to time is extremely healthy on many levels.
PURSUE AND REMEMBER THE DETAILS
I’m not talking about musical details…I’m talking about personal details. Take time before and after every rehearsal to talk to your team members about things that are going on in their lives other than the music for Sunday. When you see them again, bring it up and let them know you’ve been thinking about them. You can also have periodic team nights where the sole purpose is to connect on a non-musical level. Team members will function at a much higher capacity if they know that their leader cares more about them as a person than if they have the 3rd chord in the bridge correct.
After all this, a simple “thank you” for something specific your team member contributes to the team is huge! Verbalizing your appreciation goes a long way.
The over-arching theme to being your team’s champion is that of servanthood. When your team realizes you’re there to be their servant and lead by giving them everything they need to shine, you will become their champion.