At one of the sessions where I was mentoring some pastors, I was asked how we create a healthy staff team. culture at our church. This came from the observation they made from looking at the Agape staff. They said we were such a robust happy bunch of people on staff. I was blessed to hear that.
The following is what I think helps to create a healthy staff team culture:
1. Be truly intentional about your relationships with the staff team. Reach out and care and know who your team is and what is going on in their lives outside of work.
2. Lead by example!!! In every situation be like that of Christ; so that you won’t cause someone else stumble by your actions! And when you stumble, admit it.
3. Fostering an open and non-judgmental work environment, where people feel free to express their thoughts and feelings. This empowers your staff to not only enjoy work but to look forward to coming back each day.
4. Productivity happens where there is flexibility.
5. Stop controlling, and start releasing your staff. Realize that God has placed kingdom dreams within your people, and your leadership responsibility is to release what God has placed in your people.
6. Your position doesn’t ensure that your staff will trust you. My trust must be earned.
7. Just because you’re the boss doesn’t mean you can’t learn from those you lead.
8. Have open communication with everyone. If there is an issue with a team member, we ALL talk about it. WHY? When we’re all talking about it candidly, it prevents us from talking behind each other’s backs. It also allows the person with the “issue” to talk about it. When we know where they’re coming from and we know they are working on it, it prevents further frustration.
9. Take the time to be genuinely interested in the lives of your staff. They will want to work for you, if they know they aren’t just another number.
10. Create a fun environment. WHY? It’s hard to get stressed out about anything because we laugh so much every day. You can work really hard and have a really good time. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.
