Be a Great Teammate
/In the process of assembling His team, Jesus called to both Simon and Andrew. In Mark 1, it appears that it was a short conversation that caused them to leave their day to day work behind to join. In a few moments, they came across two others. James and John were working with their father and a few hired laborers when they decided to leave them all to join the team. Others joined. Soon, known today as the twelve disciples, the team that followed Jesus’ ministry were together.
Besides building their faith in God, Jesus taught them teamwork. They came from assorted backgrounds, and they each brought strengths to the group. Some knew each other before the team assembly, but not everyone. Some were smart, others bold, and one would doubt. One would eventually leave the team. They were different men and women brought together through a cause. There are lessons in this.
Teams are a fact of life. Besides your favorite professional or college teams that can let you down, leave you hanging, or boost your spirits all on the same day, there are others that more closely touch your life. You and your spouse are a team, and the whole family unit is a team. Your classmates can be team members, and you and your co-workers are undoubtedly a team.
Be a great teammate.
A recent study by the global analytics firm Gallup (see a link to study below) detailed three discoveries in effective leadership. For a team that functions well, these characteristics should also transcend throughout each of its members. And while the traits found in this study had no reference to Christianity, the attributes are about humanity, which makes up Christianity. They will help at home, at church, in the classroom, and at work, or wherever you are a teammate. The twelve disciples would exhibit these traits, and so should we.
1) Support performance development.
Whether it is your spouse, family, co-worker, or small Bible study group member, we need to be each other’s biggest fans. Naturally, you feel happier when someone encourages you in your growth. In Luke 10, the disciples victoriously return to each other after separating into different villages and neighborhoods. They return with excitement and joy; it was a team victory. In the same way, 100 out of 100 Launch Mini followers would say they like to be supported and encouraged. Be that. Be the supporter or the encourager. While there are there times that you need encouragement, there are probably more times when you can offer it. Don’t hold it back. Support and encourage your team. They need it. They need it from you.
2) Encourage transparent communication.
Building a sense of openness is crucial for any team. In John 3: 20-21, Jesus spoke plainly about living in the light and speaking truths to each other. Going further, He said this spirit is the opposite of evil and living in darkness. Again, nothing will help spur your team on in openness more than taking ownership of this transparency yourself. Being truthful and open in our communication can hide politics, promote resolution in disagreements, and eliminate unanswered questions. Take the time to talk to one another and foster the openness we too often like to hide. And if listening, use your two ears and be humble in response. Living in the light always makes for a better day.
3) Focus on the employee’s strengths.
An employee, a husband or wife, a child, fellow band member, or any member of your other teams; shouldn’t we all appreciate the gifts that God has given to them? Too often, it is easier to spot the teammate’s weaknesses. Believe in them. God does. Believe in their gifts. God gave them. Open doors where you can for your fellow teammates to use their talents. This summer, in our small Bible study group, we gave the entire group opportunities to lead small portions of our discussions. It has been remarkable; each of our team members had the capability but needed a chance to put it on display. It has been so enjoyable to see each of the members give of themselves, share their hearts, and discuss the insights that God has given them.
Regardless of the type of role you play in your group, give these traits a try. I think you’ll find that it will make your team closer in spirit, more fun to be around, and ultimately more effective in its task.
