Together on Mission

By Michele Aikens

Team coaching involves guiding a group of individuals to function as a cohesive unit, enhancing their performance, communication and collaboration. As those who lead congregations and organizations, here are some things team coaching and the message of the gospel aim to do:

Build trust and connection. Just as the gospel emphasizes loving and caring for one another, team coaching can focus on building strong interpersonal relationships. Trust is the foundation of any successful team, and activities that promote mutual understanding and respect are crucial.

Promote effective communication. The teachings of Jesus involved clear, compassionate communication. Team coaches can help team members develop skills in active listening, giving and receiving feedback and articulating their thoughts and ideas effectively.

Create shared vision and purpose. The gospel provides a clear sense of mission and purpose. Similarly, team coaches can help teams align around a shared vision, ensuring that everyone understands the common goals and how their individual contributions fit into the bigger picture.

Foster resilience in adversity. The gospel offers hope and strength in times of trial. Team coaches can support teams in developing resilience, helping them navigate challenges with a positive mindset and a focus on solutions rather than problems.

Provide opportunities for empowerment and growth. Jesus empowered His disciples to carry forward His teachings. In team coaching, empowering team members to take ownership of their roles, make decisions and develop their skills is essential for sustained success and growth.

The first church leadership team I worked with as COVID restrictions started to lift wrestled with the same things many organizations do: how to relate to “customers” who had experienced the effects of living through a worldwide pandemic? How do we get back to normal?

As the team prepared for the return of people to the building, something had changed, both on the team and in the larger community. We started by exploring the dynamics of the team: How had their connection been impacted by the events surrounding COVID? Had some differences of opinion affected relationships among members of the team? Could we identify what unified the team rather than what divided it?

Through a time of coaching, the team was able to strengthen connection and trust with each other (not easy but necessary) and agree that some priorities for dealing with their “customers” needed to shift.

Similarly, the team of Jesus’ disciples had different personalities and ideas of what (or who among them) was most important. The same passion that a team member has for his or her area of responsibility can, if not balanced, minimize the contributions of other team members. Team coaching can help team members recognize the strength in their differences. Here’s an example of how it works: Ask your leadership team the following questions, and note the differences in their responses.

What do your “customers” need today?

How is your team positioned to serve those needs, which may look quite different from those of 20 years ago?

What will the future require of them?

How can you prepare them for that future?

How might your team’s varied responses create new ways of responding to changing needs within your organization?

The gospel is timeless in its power to impact individuals and the world. As those searching for solutions come through your doors, you will likely remind them that, although Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever, you and your team need to prepare for change.