Hello, and welcome back once more, Team 412. This is Episode #12, the CODA, an Italian word for “tail” but we’ll use the musical term for CODA, the ending of a composition. And here we are at the end. It feels a little strange recording this episode, because we’re at the end of our journey together in Cohort 2, and as this is being recorded, we haven’t yet begun the journey. So, I’m doing what we talked about earlier – Reverse Engineering the program from this, the end, back to the beginning.
What I’d like us to do with this episode is to take a good look in the rearview mirror to see where we’ve been. It will help us think about what we accomplished together, answer a few lingering questions, and add any thoughts or comments about what needs to be revised or added for Cohort 3. I can guarantee there will be some changes – for the better, I hope!
Throughout this entire program, we have focused on what it takes to become a servant leader, one who leads by serving others. It’s one thing to talk about all the characteristics and qualities of a servant leader, and quite another thing to live up to and live into those same characteristics and qualities. It’s a long process of becoming. In your Workbook, there is a question for you:
How are you becoming a servant leader?
We considered a range of essential qualities that are important for all leaders. There are far too many of those “essential” qualities to adopt them all – and you shouldn’t try to do so! Everyone is unique – YOU are the only YOU there is. Focus on those qualities that have special meaning to you. That’s who YOU are and who you show to the world. Enjoy what’s right for YOU, and let others enjoy theirs. And that Workbook question for you is a 2-parter:
What three essential leadership qualities do you most identify with? … and … How do these show up in your work with others?
Navigating the Seven Cs took some doing, as the saying goes. The values of Credibility, Clarity, Confidence, Creativity, Courage, Calling, and Commitment were viewed through the lens of servant leadership. Each is important, however more important are the values YOU hold and live into. The Values Assessment took awhile, but I hope the exercise gave you some chances to reflect on your own core values and where they show up in your life. And your Workbook question is just that – a 2-parter:
What are your top three core values? … and … Where do they show up in your life?
The importance of Listening is vital to your success as a servant leader. One of the most intensive forms of listening is Engaged Listening, that requires us – among other things – to give the other person your undivided attention, notice visual and physical cues, and clarify what you hear to increase your understanding of what’s being said to you. Engaged Listening is the highest compliment you can pay to another person. Your Workbook question is:
In order to become a better Engaged Listener, what do you need to practice the most?
Goal setting and achieving those goals are two different things, and sometimes we fall short on the achieving end. When that happens, your goals become only a good wish. Take the time and effort to develop SMART goals with your ministry team. We also must focus on building in accountability to one another on our ministry teams, something too often short-changed or missing on many church committees. We need to have accountability on all our ministry teams. Your SMART question in your Workbook is:
The goal is “The church expects to add new members.” How will you make this goal a SMART goal?
Working with people can be difficult at times. Working with volunteers who can walk away at any time can be even more difficult. Some days it can seem that your job is like Herding Cats. YOU, especially as leader, must work well with people and build those individuals into a cohesive team through trust, accountability and clarity, a team where things feel right and things go well. Here’s a summary question – actually a 2-parter – for you in your Workbook:
When have you observed a DYS-function of a church ministry team? … and … If you were the leader, what is one step you would take to help the team become more cohesive?
One of the greatest tests of your leadership abilities will be how you help manage change. People tend to resist change and don’t adjust to it well. Your job as leader is to help your team acknowledge and accept that change is happening, that change is a normal part of growth, and that it can bring positive outcomes. In your Workbook, your summary question is:
Why do you think it is better to proceed slowly when there are a lot of changes that need to be made?
Then there is ACCOUNTABILITY, a vital yet often overlooked or downplayed part of being a servant leader, especially when working with volunteers. Holding others to account is necessary but not the easiest task. It helps when you, the leader, are first of all accountable to yourself and for your ministry team. Here’s a summary question for you:
What is one positive and supportive way you could hold a volunteer member of your team accountable?
Planning and Preparing are just two essential elements in helping us overcome the malady of MEETING MANIA. As church people, we tend to overschedule and underplan our meeting times together. Leaders must be good stewards of everyone’s time and must also count the cost of volunteer time when planning that next meeting.
What is one thing that you can do to improve your next meeting?
And finally, we must learn to BE THE COFFEE BEAN. To complement the many Challenges of Change we face, servant leaders must be successful Change Agents, like that coffee bean, changing that hot water that we’re in to something much better!
Which of your inner strengths will you call upon to help you become an effective change agent?
And the biggest question of all is:
How has your concept of servant leader changed after completing this course?
In addition to these questions, there is some space to jot down your comments, suggestions, and your thoughts about how to improve this leader development course for future Cohorts. I will be most anxious to hear your comments during our meeting together, our “Finale Ultimo” and also our Commencement.
Thank you so very much for being a part of this Cohort. If this has helped you in any way to becoming a better servant leader, then it has been a successful venture. Blessings to YOU!
