I have an incredible team around me. It has taken well over six years—but I believe we have created an incredible leadership environment here at NewSpring…here are just a few of the things that the Lord has led me to do…
#1 - Do Not Put People On Your Team Who Are Just Like You!
I get e-mails from time to time from people telling me they don’t like me…and many times I agree with them, I don’t like me either! (WOW—that’s going to upset Joel Osteen!!!)
I looked around our lead team meeting this past Monday and it is safe to say that out of the 11 people in the room…none of them were just like me. I could not work with someone like me…I am amazed that the team I serve with can work WITH me at times!
In our team we have people who have different theological beliefs. (Let me be clear here…we differ on the minors—we agree on the majors!!!) We have different leadership styles. AND the opinions on how to do things often differ…and I love it.
#2 - Hire “Yes Men”
Got your attention? Good!
I only hire yes men! It makes things so much easier.
Oh yeah, I’ll bet your thinking they are MY yes men! Sorry…didn’t mean for you to misunderstand that, what I mean is these men and women say “yes” to God…not me.
Our attitude when we meet as a team to make decisions is “yes God!” I have made sure that the people in the room who make decisions are sold out to Jesus Christ…and if God says to do something we do it! And if you have people on your team that will compromise their convictions just to make you happy—fire them today! I am so thankful that the people I serve with do not have a goal of making me happy—they love Jesus and the church…and they say “yes” when He speaks to their heart.
One of the rumors that a staff member said that he heard before coming on our lead team was that I surrounded myself with “yes” men who I tell what to do and how to do it…that I am sort of a dictator and that the team is not willing to tell me what they think.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Just yesterday on two separate occasions I had some of these men tell me that a decision I had made was a bad decision!
The reason that some people might think that I run the show is that outside of the meetings—we are all unified. Seriously, you will never hear a staff member from our lead team say, “Well—they made the decision…I tried to talk them out of it…” No—outside of the meeting we are all on the same page once the decision is made…but inside the meeting…well—that leads to the next point…
#3 - Encourage Conflict
I love conflict! I love to see two people…or two groups of people…who are passionate about something and willing to defend it.
And man, have we had some conflict in the past. You would be amazed at how we go after issues, debate things with passion…and say what needs to be said. NOW…the conflict never gets personal—we never talk about another dudes mama or anything…we stay on the issue.
And…as a leader—when I say something OR someone else says something and I see a person in the room make a face…I call that out. I want all opinions on the table!
#4 - LISTEN To Those Closest To You
As a leader you understand that EVERYONE has an opinion on what you should be doing…and your church should be doing.
(It’s amazing how many people have ministry ideas that “God” put on their heart—but they want the church to pay for it!)
I made a decision a long time ago to listen to the people who are closest to me. There have been times I have wanted to do certain things…and the men around me have said, “Perry—we love you—but that is stupid!”
Just the other day I wanted to schedule something and my assistant said, “Perry—you can’t—you literally don’t have the time!”
A good leader is a good listener. If you find yourself not wanting to listen to the people around you then something is out of place. I hardly EVER make a decision without the complete support of our lead team.
Leadership is a process…and we are still learning—hope some of that helps!