by Bre Hallberg
On every resolution list we always say that this the year we are going to learn more as a leader. We create lists of books to read, blogs to subscribe to, we download podcasts and cue up TED talks. But then somewhere around February life gets in the way. Our intentions are good, but our desire to be learners gets lost in the busyness of life. Maybe we are learning wrong.
I recently read an article in the Harvard Business Review that says psychologists’ have made a compelling case that we grow more when we are in connection to others. The article goes on to say the key to growing together is to do so within “high quality connections” where people see the best in us, where people are responsive and open and where we feel a sense of energy just being part of the group.
So first things first, take a look at the team you work with—whether it’s your staff or your volunteers. If what Harvard says is true, then the first thing you need to do is make sure that you have created a team that has high quality connections, meaning people are energized by who they are around. Why is it important to have high quality connections? Because “we grow in high-quality connections because our thinking is broadened, we absorb knowledge more quickly, our action repertoire is expanded, and we are more engaged, playful, open, and resilient in the face of setbacks.”
Now that your team is set, what will you learn? We have just the thing. We have created e-singles that were written with you in mind. We tackle specific ministry topics that will help you as a leader continue to create a Lead Small culture and partner with parents. And each e-single provides discussion questions for you and your team. Here are a few you don’t want to miss. Download them today on Amazon!
- Win Every Week: How to Help Every Parent and Every Small Group Leader Win Every Week by Reggie Joiner
- Think Family: Developing a Pro-Family Mindset by Terry Scalzitti
- Just Ask: Developing Consistent Small Group Leaders by Sue Miller
- Design an FX: Creating Memorable Experiences for Families by Mike Clear
- (Re)Arrange: Arranging and Rearranging Small Groups by Tom Shefchunas and Elle Campbell
- Connect the Influences: Combining the Influence of Parents and Small Group Leaders by Adam Duckworth
- Make Sunday Work for Parents: Leveraging Sunday to Help Families the Rest of the Week by Reggie Joiner
- Reprioritizing for Group: Four Ways to Point to Small Groups by Kenny Conley
- Voices Parents Need: Making the Most Important Voices Louder by Nina Schmidgall
- Celebrating SGLs: Practical Ways to Appreciate Small Group Leaders by Kendra Fleming
- Partner Through the Phases: Leveraging Life Stages to Improve Your Ministry by Kristen Ivy
Maybe this year will be a year of learning after all!
