I was recently in a department meeting where the individual leading had us go around and share what was happening in our areas of ministry. Then he did something that we don’t normally do with this group, he asked us to share what was going on personally. He even went as far as to ask us specific questions. In all honesty the group did not respond well to this line of conversation as we were not used to it.

However, it got me to thinking about a book I have been reading (First, Break all the rules). It was written by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman several years ago. The whole book is written around the question, What do the world’s greatest manager’s do differently? In this book you will be challenged to build relationships with the people you work with and to get to know them in a way that you actually know who they are. For those of us in the church one would think that this was already happening, however that is not reality. Michael (the name given to one of the managers in the book) shared what he valued most amongst his employees.

1. Help all employees become more of who they are.

2. Treat each person differently.

3. Become close friends with employees.

4. Understood he can’t change others, he can facilitate them.

5. Be trusting in nature

As I reflect on our Department meeting recently I understand why we respect and follow our leader so well as a team. HE CARES FOR US PERSONALLY!