The Ultimate Team Leader

The Ultimate Team Leader

John 6:1-14

Jesus is our example, he shows us how we are to lead those who follow us, he shows us how to be a team leader. In John 6:1-14 we find Jesus and his disciples as they arrive on the other side of the sea of Galilee that they are followed by a huge crowd. In this passage of Scripture we get a glimpse out how Jesus led a team. We get to take peek at how Jesus and his team of disciples were going to handle a problem together.

Team leaders should address the problem.
Jesus presents the problem they are facing together, inviting the team to join in on the solution. Jesus points out the obvious problem to the team, “All these people have followed us here. It’s dinner time. How are we doing to feed them?”. Jesus could have just spoke the word and everyone would have had a bag of Chick fil a in their hands.

Teams will face problems or seemingly problems there is no escaping it. Things can move along smoothly and appear to be fantastic and that can quickly turn to an immediate issue that needs resolution. Jesus sets the example that a leader looks to their team to join in on solving the issue or working on the problem together.

Team leaders should test the Team
Jesus puts Philip to the test. Growth as a team can come from problem solving together. Testing creates opportunity for an individual on the team to stretch themselves, to search out a resolution, technique or system to solve the problem. A good team leader will put scenarios in front of team members so they can push towards finding solution and in doing so grow in skill as a team member. Philip was the team’s realist but we are about to see that Andrew was the team’s dreamer and every team should have a balanced mix of both.

Team leaders should listen to the team
Jesus listens to the team as Andrew shares, “Here’s a kid’s lunch with 5 pieces of bread and a couple of fish.”

Team leaders listen to their team. I would have said that Andrew’s solution was ridiculous, there’s no way that it would work. Jesus shows us as leaders that we should take the time and listen to those on our team, that is part of working together as a team. Even though we may be the leader we are still an individual part of a team and there are others on our team who have some good input to give.

To Be Continued . . .