RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

There are two little words that carry a lot of weight.  Your volunteers and staff are very aware of how you use them.

Here they are - "I" and "We."

Use "I" when there has been a blunder or blame needs to be shouldered.  This shows your team that you take responsibility instead of pointing fingers when things fall short or go wrong.

Use "we" when something has been accomplished.  This shows that you give the credit to the team when there is a win.

Those two little words have a huge impact on how you communicate as a leader.  Use them wisely.

Good leaders are powerful.  Great leaders are empowering.

Want to find out how you're doing as a leader?  This one question will give you the answer.

Ask your team...Which is more true...our leader is powerful or our team is powerful?

Here's some signs you are more powerful than you are empowering.

• You do most of the talking at meetings while everyone else is quiet.

• Your team is afraid to disagree with you.

• You always make decisions by yourself.

• Your idea always has to win.

• You don't ask for feedback.

• People can't make any decisions without "running it by you" first.

• You like being in the spotlight more than you do putting your team in the spotlight.

• You never hire anyone smarter or more skilled than you.

• "I" is used a lot more than "we."

• You constantly worry about "losing control."

• You feel threatened when someone else on your team shines. 

• You are quick to take the credit and slow to take the blame.

• You become jealous when someone else is honored on your team.

Powerful leaders are stars.  Empowering leaders create stars.

Michael Jordan said it well..."Great players win games.  Great teams win championships."

So which is it?  Powerful you or powerful team?