How to Make the Best Contribution to Your Team

“Fit and flourish living and ministry is always a “we” endeavor, not just a “me” enterprise. God designed us to contribute to the “we” relationships of our life.”

What’s the difference between a bowling team and a basketball team?

Think about it…are we all just playing for ourselves and adding up individual scores at the end, or are we indispensable to each other, unable to fully do our part without each other…we all win or lose together?

Fit and flourish living and ministry is always a “we” endeavor, not just a “me” enterprise.  God designed us to contribute to the “we” relationships of our life.  

How do you best contribute on a team?  How do you make those around you better?

We all have strengths and needs in how we work on a team.  The descriptive phrases we use in “Your Leadership Grip”**  give us a simple way to discern our strengths and needs:

“Let’s Go”—usually the person leading a team toward a goal, setting or sharing a vision of “what could be.” They are willing to take on big challenges, move quickly and take risks.

Let’s Be Careful—helps the team pay attention to details, budget, policies, and administrative issues.  They are more deliberate, preferring to plan thoroughly and minimize risk.

Let Me Help You—loves to come alongside and serve or equip others. They are great at taking care of the practical and logistical needs of a team.

Let’s Stay Together—values the relational health, chemistry, and unity of the team.  They are the honey and the glue of every team because they put relationships above all else. 

Usually we are strong in a couple of these team styles and need help in one.  For example, if you’re a strong “Let’s Go” and “Let Me Help You” person, you most likely need a “Let’s Be Careful” person with you on the team.

Coach Yourself Forward

1. Think about the teams you’ve been on.  What are your strong team styles?  Who do you need?  

2. Often the people we need most also irritate us most because they are so different from us.  A key principle here is; “Irritate or appreciate…it’s up to you.” How can you apply that principle on the teams you are a part of?

3. Some of us have a hard time admitting we need others.  If that’s you, go to the people who have been patient and helpful with you and thank them.

**If you haven’t taken the team style portion of the “Your Leadership Grip” or “Discovering Your Ministry Identity” by Paul Ford.  You’ll be glad you did!

Photo by Anna Samoylova on Unsplash