As with any sports team there are
high moments and low moments. Last year
I watched the Red Sox struggle through one of the roughest seasons that they
have ever had with poor management, a huge payroll, and several off-the-field
issues. Needless to say when everything
was said and done they finished last in the division, traded off several of
their “key pieces for the future” and fired their manager. After watching that it was painful to admit
that I was a fan of the Red Sox but their winning ways returned this year and
taught me several things about leading and working together as a team.
After watching the Red Sox this season
I noticed four lessons that have impacted my leadership style this season. First, is watching what they did in the
offseason where they had been known to spend a lot of money to get the best
players possible, which as we witnessed in the 2011-2012 season blew up in our
faces. However, this past offseason was
different as they sought to bring in a quality manager, acquire role players
who had outstanding character, and develop new prospects that could better the
team. They were willing to make
worthwhile investments without breaking the bank, although they did spend more
money than I will probably ever make in my lifetime. As a leader I wondered about the investments
that I make with our students and volunteers.
Are these worthwhile investments?
Do they help to empower and equip our volunteers? Do our students come to a deeper realization
of God’s love for them through our programs?
I firmly believe that these pieces are not only important but being
lived into daily.
The second lesson that I have seen
is the need to work together as a team.
Teamwork is something that can easily be overlooked in leadership as
each person desires for their ideas to be heard and implemented. However, listening to the ideas of others,
channeling creativity, and working together are invaluable pieces of leadership
and help a team function more effectively.
The third lesson ties in nicely with the idea of working together as a
team which is trusting in the unique strengths and abilities of each person on
your team. God has blessed each person
with special gifts and abilities that should be lived into. As a team we should be willing to let each
other live into our strengths, while acknowledging our weaknesses. In the world of the Red Sox’s David Ortiz isn’t
a threat to steal bases, but Jacoby Ellsbury is, a unique skill that has been
developed in over several years. In the
same way in leadership, we need to place our volunteers in positions for the
greatest success based on their gifts and talents. For me, I wouldn’t put someone with a fear of
public speaking in front of the youth group to give a lesson, but their administrative
gifts may help the ministry to run more smoothly.
Finally, is the lesson of believing
in yourself and your team. A year ago
there was a small percentage of people who believed the Red Sox’s could win the
division, make the playoffs, and have as much success as they have. A large portion of this group was the
players, management, and owners who believed in themselves, worked diligently
to achieve their goals, and have been able to celebrate their success. In the same way as leaders we need to believe
in ourselves and our team, while trusting that God will provide numerous
success stories for us to share.
You may not be a Red Sox’s fan but
their formula for success this year has led to the most wins in baseball this
year. So as you think about your
leadership style are there pieces you can implement to help your team and you
succeed?
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