Do you trust your teammates when they give counsel? (137-2)

Every competent leader knows the importance of a team for counsel and support. Read Proverbs 15:22.

Teams are comprised of positional specialists. Team members are recruited because of their specific ability and their expected contribution. With a properly assembled team, the individual strengths of the team members combine to produce an outcome which no individual team member could have produced.

Because each team member is a positional specialist they will bring different wisdom and thought patterns to the decision-making process. When a trusted team is functioning well, committed to a common vision and purpose, and working in unity their combined counsel adds breadth and depth to a plan. Areas that may have been overlooked are incorporated into the foundational elements of the plan and the initial action steps become more efficient and effective.

A key phrase in the above paragraph that could easily be missed or just assumed is “when a trusted team…” To receive the best from any teammate they must not only be trusted but “feel” or “believe” they are trusted. That may sound strange but for an individual to feel trusted, leaders must involve their team in the process and activity that creates the need for a decision. To simply involve your team with an “A” or “B” choice doesn’t show trust only that you are looking for someone to validate one of the decisions already made.

Proverbs 15:22 is a good verse to memorize; “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Do you seek the counsel of your team when determining strategic plans and direction? Wise leaders utilize the strengths of their team’s counsel when making decisions and plans.