Who's your favorite football team? I live in Atlanta now, so I love it when the Falcons do well. But being a native San Diegan, the Chargers will always have a place in my heart.

Football games are won by moving the ball down the field a few yards at a time. So many of the most exciting games have been won or lost at the one-yard line.

It's true that we all love it on a kick-off when the ball is carried back for a touchdown, or when a 40-yard Hail Mary pass wins the game. But over the course of any given season, championships are won (or lost) a few yards at a time.

The little victories give you the big victory. If you want to wear the ring, you have to dig in for the small gains all season and execute well every game.

NFL coaches know their goal, develop the best team possible, and score more points than the other team. You know your mission too. It takes hard work to take new territory, one person for Christ at a time. It's not just the big plays that win it; it takes far more well-executed little plays every day.

Here are six "quick plays" to help you as a leader create big gains toward your mission.

1. Get the right people in the room. I invest a good amount of time getting the right people in a room together, at the right time, for the right reason. I never cease to be amazed at the power of a wisely and intentionally convened group in contrast to a "regular" meeting. Or how much time we can waste by meeting with six or seven people one-on-one, multiple times. Get them all in a room at the same time. Meet for a purpose, and get the job done. It's so much faster and so much more productive.

2. Pick up the phone. The difference between getting things done and making things happen is often made by simply picking up the phone! Getting things done is usually the result of someone calling you. Making things happen is usually the result of you calling someone! Heck, you can start a war by picking up a phone. That is powerful. Everyone gets things done, but leaders make things happen. So what could you do by thinking strategically, with a redemptive heart, and in alignment with your mission? What needs to happen? It might be just a five-minute phone call away.

3. Make a decision. It's true that some big decisions require significant time to process and percolate. But through years of leadership, I've learned that many decisions can be made relatively quickly. Most in 24 hours or less. That gives time to pray, think, make a couple of calls, check the budget, etc. So many things get bogged down in your church because simple decisions get stuck in someone's inbox. If someone else needs to make the decision, get the issue moved to that person today.

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

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