Do you effectively use and develop your team? (108-3)

Leadership is not only a privilege but also a responsibility. In Scripture, leaders are given influence as stewards to manage the resources that are owned by the Lord. When a leader builds into the lives of others and participates in the development of their potential, a leader is acting as a faithful steward of divine responsibility. Read 1 Chronicles 18:14-17.

David understood that he was the steward of human gifts and talents. He gave appropriate responsibility and authority to people of proven commitment and ability.

Effective leaders know their primary job isn’t to amass personal gain or accomplishments, but to accomplish as much as possible through the gifts of others. To be a wise steward of human potential:

• A leader must know their team well and promote wisely.
• A leader must know what motivates the individual, what makes them happy, angry, sad, encouraged, and discouraged. What are the keys to their heart!
• A leader must know their team’s areas of skill and natural gifting. A leader must know what their teammate does well that get results.
• A leader must see the opportunities ahead. A leader must know what is on the horizon for their business or ministry to know which skills and gifts will be needed for the tasks ahead.
• A leader must know the level of maturity of the individuals they promote. A leader must not only determine if there is a skill match but a maturity match. Promotion of a skilled, but immature, teammate can create a situation of too much pressure too early.

Do you effectively use and develop your team or are you withholding some authority and responsibility that would further their development? When a leader has the well-rounded knowledge described above of each team member, responsibility and authority can be easily divided among the team members in a way that obtains maximum results and maximum satisfaction for the team.

An effective steward of the human resources God provides lives according to 1 Chronicles 18:14 ,“David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.” This included doing what was right and just for his leaders and future leaders.