How do we teach our teams to take initiative?

Initiative is always available for the taking. Often, our teams simply do not see what needs to be taken.

Many workers wait to be told to take action to solve a problem. If a leader doesn't call attention to a problem, it is likely to simply remain in the current state.

Perhaps action is not taken out of fear of doing the wrong thing. Or perhaps the worker has little training and really doesn't know what could be done to resolve the problem.

It is also reasonable to conclude that at least part of our team is simply too lazy to think and take action. Some may feel it's safer to sit on the bench and wait to be called from their slumber.

I recently read a devotion from My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers on this topic. He said:

"But God will not give us good habits or character, and He will not force us to walk correctly before Him ... To take the initiative is to make a beginning—to instruct yourself in the way you must go." 

The first principle a leader must teach about taking initiative is to make the first step. The hardest step in the process is the first one.

We are a nation of steps—12 steps for this and 21 steps for that.

The problem with steps is that many of us will skip to step 12 and start there; 12 steps are 11 too many.

Leaders should teach the importance of a good start. The first step creates momentum if the step is properly supported.

Learning to take initiative is not a 12-step process. It's all about the first step. Teach your team to take one step of action immediately. 

I believe the Lord expects us to move as soon as we are drawn. Following the lead of the Holy Spirit is not a "wait until tomorrow" thing. I believe that God requires instant obedience.

The Holy Spirit gives the nudge to take the first step, now.

Drawing nearer to Him requires a move. 

P.S. Do you subscribe to Ministry Today? Will you please consider doing it? 

With the link below you will receive my special publisher's offer. Our baseline subscription is $24.97. My offer to you is a one-year subscription (6 issues) for $10.00.

I'd like to know what you think of Ministry Today and would love to hear from you.

Please click here today for the Dr. Greene special.

Today's Scripture

"For this reason make every effort to add virtue to your faith; and to your virtue, knowledge; and to your knowledge, self-control; and to your self-control, patient endurance; and to your patient endurance, godliness; and to your godliness, brotherly kindness; and to your brotherly kindness, love" (2 Pet. 1:5-7).

Platform Tip No. 112

If you are the impatient type—you expect things to work for you immediately—then platform building may not be for you.

The alternative to platform work is to spend a bunch of money in a broader medium. I call this the spray and pray method of growth. There are at least two problems with this method—it's expensive and it still takes a lot of time to MAYBE make it work.

Platform development works absolutely. It takes hard work and consistency over time. But you can build a powerful platform.

Show up every day, on platform, with your message that addresses a felt need.

Do you want to learn more about developing your personal platform?

For my free eBook 7 Reasons Your Organization Suffers from Marketing Malpractice, plus 3 Things to do NOW to Prevent Further Damage, click here.

Dr. Steve Greene is the publisher and executive vice president of the media group at Charisma Media and executive producer of the Charisma Podcast Network. His book, Love Leads: The Spiritual Connection Between Your Relationships and Productivity, is now available.

Leaders, Dr. Greene wants to help you understand the spiritual connection between relationships and productivity. Read his new blog, here.

Get Spirit-filled content delivered right to your inbox! Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

Dr. Steve Greene is now sharing stories, teachings, and conversations with guests who lead with love on Love Leads, a new podcast. Listen now.

Dr. Mark Rutland's

National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL)

The NICL is one of the top leadership training programs in the U.S. taught by Dr. Mark Rutland. If you're the type of leader that likes to have total control over every aspect of your ministry and your future success, the NICL is right for you!

FREE NICL MINI-COURSE - Enroll for 3-hours of training from Dr. Rutland's full leadership course. Experience the NICL and decide if this training is right for you and your team.

The NICL Online is an option for any leader with time or schedule constraints. It's also for leaders who want to expedite their training to receive advanced standing for Master Level credit hours. Work through Dr. Rutland's full training from the comfort of your home or ministry at your pace. Learn more about NICL Online. Learn more about NICL Online.