On Team Leadership

One of my greatest joys in life is being involved in Team ministry. Linking arms with others to accomplish some far greater than any of us could ever do on our own and have a lot fun while at it. In Amplify, Teams are foundational in everything we do and Team leadership is therefore essential to every leader, positional or non-positional.

There are many qualities of a Team leaders. But I just want to share three qualities that I feel are essential to successful team leadership.


Clear Vision
The first quality that is essential to Team leadership is having a clear Vision. Bill Hybels describes vision as ‘the leader’s most potent weapon’. The Bible says that “Without vision, the people cast off restraint”. Without the leader having a clear end in mind and communicating it effectively, there will be frustration and confusion.

When people do not have a clear idea of what they are working towards, there is little motivation and efforts will be diffused. However, like a magnifying glass that focuses the sun’s beam, vision acts as a point of focus, increases energy and drives people into action. A clearly articulated vision also increases ownership and ‘gives people the freedom to strive for maximum quality – true excellence”.

In addition, a clear vision helps a leader in occasions of uncertainty to make explicit and precise direction in spite of limited information and unpredictable outcomes. Effective team leaders understand that vision leaks and they stand ready to recast the vision before the team whenever necessary.


Character counts
A good team leader understands that not only must he have a clear vision, he must possess the second quality which is good character. Character is defined as the ‘will to do what’s right even when it is hard’.

Character produces trust and makes you a leader worth following. Leaders who lack character cannot be counted on to perform consistently. When there is inconsistency, it damages a leader’s influence and hampers his ability to lead the team. But when a leader’s character is strong, people trust him to lead and help them release their potential. This arouses hope in the future and promotes a confidence in themselves and the team.

John Maxwell is right when he says that people buy into the leader before buying into the vision. In a Christian context where most teams are made up of volunteers, it is on the basis of the leader’s moral authority that makes people buy into the vision. When they do, the team will follow their leader no matter how bad the conditions are because they know they can trust him.


Empowerment
The last essential quality of a leader is the ability to empower his team members. A team’s capacity to achieve is determined by their leader’s ability to empower. Team leaders must dedicate themselves to setting up their team for victory. This is not possible if he takes the best opportunities, assignments, and credit for himself. When a leader doesn’t empower others, he creates barriers within the team and limits the growth of the members.

A good team leader however, gives his people the permission to take up responsibility and allowing their gifts and talents to flourish. He provides the resources, the encouragement and direction to help his team members reach their potential. Jesus sent out his disciples to practice what he taught them and when they came back, encouraged, corrected and remaindered them of the big picture. (Luke 10) He leads by lifting his disciples up and doing whatever it takes to set them up for victory. Likewise, an empowering leader creates an environment of opportunity, responsibility, accountability and trust.


These are what I think are the 3 basic qualities of Team Leaders. My prayer is that I continually grow in them and become a better leader for the people God has entrusted me.

Leo

The Most Expensive Day of Our Lives

Yesterday Cass and I were on leave. We went out shopping, got a Tee-shirt, both a haircut and then bought a House.

Typical day.


O.M.Gosh!!!! We bought a house!!!! Cassilda and I are today, proud owners ofa-next-to-the-MRT-and-interchange-NTUC-swimming-pool 4-RM HDB flat!!! We got it! Praise the Lord!

This is a follow-up from the previous post below and a testimony to our Father in Heaven who have graciously granted Cass and myself a home to build our future together. Words cannot express the joy and the gratitude we feel towards Abba.

Taking Care of Business
When we first started out this whole marriage preparation process, we decided that we would continue to put God and His work first. It has always been that way with us and we saw no reason why our service to Him should get any less because we were preparing for our marriage.

We prayed to God and told Him that we were going to take care of His business and that we would trust Him to take care of ours and I tell you, it has been really like that so far throughout our preparations.

Whether it was finding a banquet restaurant, a bridal package, a bridal Car or the church, what had usually taken months and months for many couples we know, was settled faster than you can say "I do". I can't even begin to tell you of all the small miracles and extraordinary arrangements that has transpired, the only thing I can say is that it was very obvious that God's hand has been in it.


Finding a Home
Our new Home will always be a reminder of God's providence. The HDB flats in question are the new ones build right next to the Bedok Central.

For years, Cass and I will walk past the construction site talking about how nice for anyone to live here. Never in our wildest imagination would we expect to one day do so. These blocks of flats are under the SERS programme meaning it was meant for Enbloc-ed people. So whatever is left after they had chosen would be put of for public ballot.

Home Delivery
The Ballot was in January. Cass and I decided to give it a shot. It was our very first ballot. We submitted and prayed like mad. (see below for the prayer we prayed). We prayer- walk the void decks, lay hands on pillars etc. We wanted those block of flats because it was near the MRT and bus interchange. This was important to us because we wanted our home to be a place where we can host people for Cells, parties, get to gethers, meetings or just hang outs. We felt that living near the MRT would make a huge difference to people coming.

After that, we balloted another time in feb for another site but came up 9700 over! The results of the January ballot was due out in April. And when April came, out of the 199 4-Rm flats that were available, our queue number was 196!!

We couldn't believe our eyes!! This was our first ballot! Charles Yee later told us that he knew couples that waited for 3 - 4 years before they could even get a number so close - and we got it on our first try!!

So it was very obvious that God was taking care of things for us. So yesterday, we went down to HDB to choose our flat - there were more than 40 flats to choose from and we even got our first choice of what was available.

Because it was a new flat, everything could be paid by CPF and we didn't have to fork out any cash at all, which means we have the means to pay for our wedding, renovations and furnishings. Not only did we save money but we saved all the time and hassle needed dealing with agents and scouting around for resale flats.

Our doorsteps were delivered to erm...our doorsteps. just like that. And now we would live within walking distance of both our parents' home. Perfect.

To top it all off, the block we chose was one of the few ones that had keys already available, which means we can actually start renos, if we choose to, in 3 months!! UNBELIEVABLE!!! All our friends who had experienced buying property are amazed. Us, the most.

Gratitude
Cass and I want to thank God from the bottom of our hearts. It has been beyond obvious that He had indeed hear our prayer and moved on our behalf. The best part is that we have never, till now, had to let up on our involvement in ministry - everything have been given unto us, as we put His kingdom first.

"Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever." Ps 23:6

We want to give God all the glory and encourage you in your faith. Seek First the Kingdom of God and the rest shall be added unto you. Give God His due and God will give back to you, turn the water into wine! Don't let up in your pursuit of Him and His kingdom, take care of His business and He will take care of yours!

Praise you Lord!


Black Tee shirt, $39
Haircut at Kelly's, $60
4 Rm-HDB Flat at Bedok, $322,300

Knowing that your heavenly Father is taking care of you?

Priceless...



Leo


Postscript- Cassilda and I would like to thank everyone who has prayed for us. Your prayers have yielded a blessing beyond measure. We are very very grateful to you. Stay tune for the housewarming! 8)