Leader Connections

The more I live, the more I learn life is not just about living, it’s about making connections. It is my responsibility to connect with those God has placed under my leadership. This does not mean that I am best friends with everyone. Time would never allow that. But, it does mean that I take time to be genuinely concerned about those around me, even if it’s for a few minutes. I call them “two minute investments.” The more I invest in short emails and phone calls, the less time I have to use cleaning up symptoms of my lack of leadership. I’ve learned the hard way. It’s definitely easier to pay the piper while you’re ahead.

The great part of staying connected with your leaders on a weekly basis is, when problems do arise, you don’t have to guess how to handle the situation, you’ve got all the info you need on how to handle them. Chances are, during your weekly connections, you can help them solve their problems before the truly ever get started. Leaders under you need a leader. They need to know where you are going, and where you want them to follow. This can only happen if you take time on purpose to sincerely connect with your leaders.

Here are a few ideas to connect with your leaders:

• Use your drive time to call or check up on one or two of your leaders.
• Send weekly text messages.
• Drop in to their workplace (if permissible) when you are in the area to say hello.
• Encourage them prior to their ministry endeavors by email, phone, or text message.
• Eat together. Wherever and whenever you is convenient for you. Just do it weekly with different leaders and make the rounds throughout the year.
• Take a few days off from the office and target individual leaders who need some touch-up TLC.

When connecting with your leaders, don’t let it become a duty, but be sincere and genuine. They will see it and appreciate it. Chances are there are family, financial, health, or emotional issues they will open up to you about if they feel you are being honest with them. The more you connect with them, the more they will connect with you. These connections don’t happen automatically, they are carefully crafted and calculated.

Don’t be a leader that just expects everyone to come to you with their problems. Be purposeful and take time to connect with the people who are most important to the operation. It is better to keep a healthy leadership staff, than to save the world and lose your leaders.