{"id":6453,"date":"2024-01-16T13:22:50","date_gmt":"2024-01-16T20:22:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/?p=6453"},"modified":"2024-02-13T13:52:23","modified_gmt":"2024-02-13T20:52:23","slug":"leading-as-a-coach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/leading-as-a-coach\/","title":{"rendered":"Leading Your Team as A Coach: Strengthening Your Ministry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">Let\u2019s face it,  no one really likes to be told what to do. However, following a great leader is something most of us desire. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While there are many styles and traits of great leadership, the people who made the most significant impact in my own life are the ones that encouraged me. They encouraged me to press into my calling, propelled me to think differently, and often lovingly shared feedback that was essential for my growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>Creating an environment that nurtures and empowers volunteers as unique individuals is essential.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Early on I observed that these leaders shared common traits\u2014they all had the mindset of a coach over a manager. This style of leadership demonstrated that their goal was to make me better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They seemed to understand that great teams were made by <a href=\"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wonder-filled-kaleidoscope-identity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">empowering individuals to thrive in their uniqueness<\/a>.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not only did it have a profound impact on me, but I also feel fortunate to have experienced it early in my life and have it be the signal biggest influence shaping my own leadership style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Leading As A Coach: The Leaders Developed Today Will Determine the Future<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As we purpose to make kingdom impact in today&#8217;s fast-paced world, creating an environment that nurtures and empowers volunteers as unique individuals is essential. Understanding that the leaders we develop today will determine the future of our ministry (and the Church) is humbling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s also a great reminder that what we do today matters!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When viewing leadership through the lens of legacy and impact, a coaching mindset makes sense as a refreshing approach. It places emphasis on building strong relationships, active listening, and asking powerful questions\u2014not for our gain but for the empowerment of the other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Adopting a coaching style can create a safe space for our <a href=\"https:\/\/ministryspark.com\/strengthen-grow-volunteer-team\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">team to explore<\/a> their strengths, passions, and personal development goals. This not only enhances individual satisfaction but also contributes to a stronger, more cohesive team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you successfully <a href=\"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/4-rhythms-volunteers-gods-wonder\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">empower and release people to leadership<\/a>, you give them the opportunity to fulfill their potential and advance the mission of the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img data-opt-id=744402629  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlzai04amy7e.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:80\/f:best\/https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/GettyImages-596631491.jpg\"  decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9042\" style=\"width:728px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Understanding the Difference Between Leading As A Coach Vs. A Manager<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>What exactly is the difference between a manager and a coach? Here is a standard definition of each that I often work from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Manager: A person responsible for controlling or administering all or part of a company or organization.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Coach: A person who teaches and trains individual members of the team to make them better.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These definitions are a helpful a reminder that management often focuses on providing instruction, guidance, and supervision while a coach takes a different path, emphasizing collaboration, personal growth, and unleashing the full potential of each team member!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When leading a team, we will still need to manage people, tasks, and situations throughout our role. However, I remind myself frequently that growth and impact are made when we build up people in their own strengths. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What a gift it is to help someone else see what God has placed within them!<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"6836\" class=\"elementor elementor-6836\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-44db1a4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"44db1a4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3fd2177\" data-id=\"3fd2177\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44f2d06 elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"44f2d06\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-xl\" href=\"https:\/\/app.wonderink.org\/?page=RegisterChurch&#038;_gl=1*1vf7quv*_gcl_au*MTg0ODQ5OTU5Ny4xNjg5Njk5NjI3*_ga*ODkwNTM3NjE0LjE2ODk2OTk2Mjg.*_ga_D2HKCMMJ9V*MTY5Njk2NTE2My41Ni4xLjE2OTY5NjUxODMuMC4wLjA.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Try for Free<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9dfdb8d elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9dfdb8d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/app.wonderink.org\/?page=RegisterChurch&#038;_gl=1*1vf7quv*_gcl_au*MTg0ODQ5OTU5Ny4xNjg5Njk5NjI3*_ga*ODkwNTM3NjE0LjE2ODk2OTk2Mjg.*_ga_D2HKCMMJ9V*MTY5Njk2NTE2My41Ni4xLjE2OTY5NjUxODMuMC4wLjA.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-opt-id=1573953086  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlzai04amy7e.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:80\/f:best\/https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wonder-Ink-logo.png\"   decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"311\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-6197\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0955910 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0955910\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center; font-size: small;\">Wonder Ink\u2019s 3-year, 52-week children\u2019s ministry curriculum offers kids space to fully find their place in God\u2019s Big Story. Children discover they are Known by God, Loved by Jesus, and Led by the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Lead As A Coach and&nbsp;the Qualities that Make the Difference<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Coaching is not command and control. It is connection and collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Creating space where one can maximize their gifts and abilities unleashes the power of both the individual and the team. Here are some core values that are incredibly valuable as we develop a coaching mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Embrace People<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>People are not the means to an end and having the privilege to lead people means we understand that they are the purpose for which we serve. And that means they deserve our time and attention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To create space where one can maximize their gifts and abilities unleashes the power of both the individual and the team. Here are two essentials that have shaped the way I want to lead and serve:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em style=\"font-size: revert; color: initial; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif;\">Know each member of your team.<\/em><span style=\"font-size: revert; color: initial; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif;\"> This means knowing each person\u2019s dreams and desires, their pressures and worries, their gifts, and abilities. As a coach we will take the time to know a person\u2019s story and demonstrate that we care. This effort takes time and it not a one and done event if our goal is to be authentic.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Believe the best<\/em>. This needs to be as a priority as we seek to know each person. This should include our own ability to be candid, share expectations and provide (and receive) feedback. &nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Purpose to Build the Team <\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>This is intentional work as we remember that we are all better when a <a href=\"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/how-serving-together-shows-us-gods-wonder\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">team works well together<\/a>. This is certainly evident in scripture through the body of Christ (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bible.com\/bible\/111\/1CO.12.4-7.NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1 Corinthians 12: 4-7<\/a>). A good team leader inspires people to a purpose greater than themselves, both here on earth, and for eternity. So how can we put that into practice?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Know the bench.<\/em> Just like we seek to embrace people and know them as individuals, a good coach will know the strengths (and weaknesses) of the team. This will involve everything from knowing the areas each wants to serve (and where they don\u2019t) and who really wants to grow. From that vantage point, a Coach can build to everyone\u2019s strength and finds the role best suited for them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Deliver feedback<\/em>. This is that not always easy but to hold each member accountable often means providing feedback. Are you sensing a theme here? Feedback is one of the single biggest factors for growth of any individual and team. It should be positive, truthful, and life-giving.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img data-opt-id=1814274655  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlzai04amy7e.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:80\/f:best\/https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/GettyImages-1250238624.jpg\"  decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8921\" style=\"width:709px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pay Attention<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember the role as a coach is a two-way process and experience. If a coach will stay in the game, be invested at a heart-level, and put think time into the process, then \u201cpaying attention\u201d to words, behaviors, habits, and patterns reveal exactly what you need to coach effectively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This work to be discerning and mindful is on us as leaders. It can be the difference between a thriving team and one that just shows up. Why is this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When we pay attention, we are able to deliver the right feedback to the right person in the right moment with the right words!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>The best coaches let you in at a heart-level. <\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When we show up after having paid attention, we are able to add value in the critical moments of a person\u2019s life. By consistently showing up every meeting does not have to be dramatic. I have discovered that it is the cumulative effect of paying attention over a long period of time that produces great results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stay Authentic<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The best coaches let you in at a heart-level. This allows the personal connection to remain real and not contrived enhancing trust and the overall process of growth. While there are healthy boundaries we will want to understand as we share with the people we lead, authenticity is an essential ingredient to the process of creating connection and relatability and should drive our desire to be open and honesty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Keep A Growth Mindset<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A key thing to remember is that we are only as effective as when we are actively pursuing our own growth. It is often the glue and active ingredient that strengthens our teams. It reminds us that we are always encountering new people, challenges, and opportunities for growth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bible.com\/bible\/111\/php.3.12\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Philippians 3:12<\/a> is such a great reminder to keep growing and pressing forward!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u2018Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n<cite>Philippians 3:12<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>And one last thing, leaders and volunteers are human. That means the process of leading as a coach will be messy, not perfect! So, <a href=\"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/equipping-volunteers-relational-ministry\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">relationships matter<\/a> on and with your team. This is where a large measure of grace and a dose of humor in both directions can make all the difference to coaching a great team for kingdom impact!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Leading as a coach can create a safe space for our teams to explore their strengths, passions, and personal development goals. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":8336,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"Leading As A Coach: Strengthening Your Team | Wonder Ink","_seopress_titles_desc":"Leading as a coach can create a safe space for our teams to explore their strengths, passions, and personal development goals. ","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"blog_topic":[28],"blog_type":[13],"ppma_author":[51,52],"class_list":["post-6453","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","blog_topic-volunteers","blog_type-blog"],"authors":[{"term_id":51,"user_id":0,"is_guest":1,"slug":"michele-baird","display_name":"Michele Baird","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/mlzai04amy7e.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:80\/f:best\/https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/michele-baird.webp","url2x":"https:\/\/mlzai04amy7e.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:80\/f:best\/https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/michele-baird.webp"},"author_category":"","user_url":"","last_name":"Baird","first_name":"Michele","job_title":"","description":"Michele\u2019s passion for her work embraces every generation\u2014from kids and teens to parents and teachers. She serves at David C Cook as a Marketing Director. One of her greatest joys is to create opportunities and resources for people to grow, know, and love Jesus more. Michele understands from hands-on experience how to equip and encourage her fellow ministry leaders. She has served as a Sunday school teacher and children\u2019s church volunteer for more than 25 years. Michele lives in Colorado and loves to travel with her family, especially to visit her new granddaughter!"},{"term_id":52,"user_id":0,"is_guest":1,"slug":"byron-ragains","display_name":"Byron Ragains","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/mlzai04amy7e.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:80\/f:best\/https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/byron-ragains.webp","url2x":"https:\/\/mlzai04amy7e.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:80\/f:best\/https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/byron-ragains.webp"},"author_category":"","user_url":"","last_name":"Ragains","first_name":"Byron","job_title":"","description":"Byron has a contagious passion for people and the local church. As the director of strategic ministry networking for David C Cook, he travels the United States to create conversation among church leaders and equip them with awesome learning resources. He is a champion for Sunday school teachers who do the Lord\u2019s work with precious kids, and he loves speaking to inspire volunteers as they influence today\u2019s generations. Byron lives in Chicagoland with his family and loves the Chicago Cubs!"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6453","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6453"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6453\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8336"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6453"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"blog_topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog_topic?post=6453"},{"taxonomy":"blog_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog_type?post=6453"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=6453"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}