No matter how long you’ve been doing Small Groups, no matter how many people you’ve got in Small Groups, you all have one thing in common. That one thing is your most precious resource. Leaders. It’s the thing that keeps you up late into the night. The thing that wakes you up at 2:47 AM, are you leaders.
- Finding new leaders.
- Initial training for new leaders.
- Ongoing teaching for all your existing leaders
- Coaching and mentoring for all your leaders.
- Giving a break to your leaders.
There’s no such thing as an instant solution for your Small Group leader needs. There’s no plop-plop, fizz-fizz that will deliver more than enough mature and seasoned Small Group leaders. And oh, by the way, there’s no Ramen noodle package or frozen dinner boxed solution to feed and nourish your Small Group leaders either.
I apologize. It just don’t exist.
But there are three tweaks to build up your Small Group leaders. If you take your existing leaders through these three tweaks, you’ll be better able to support, and retain Small Group leaders. It will also become a platform to attract new Small Group leaders – which you always, always, always need.
- Evaluate Encounters. Carefully look for the places where your existing leaders encounter people and fall short. Identify and prioritize where your leaders need the most help. Through observation and transparent conversation, identify blind spots where your leaders just don’t see the needs of their people. Create and participate in an ongoing conversation with your leaders to learn about their challenges, needs, and expectations for support. Surround them with encouragement and experiences to strengthen them and their Small Group leadership skills.
- Go for Growth. Identify the skills and resources that you Small Group leaders need to be effective with their people. Lay out a plan to meet their needs to progress in their listening and engagement skills. You need to break down their most essential responsibilities to really understand what skills are required. Then, provide educational and experiential opportunities that align. Finally, create an internal Small Group leader marketplace to attract new leaders from within your community.
- Accommodate Adaptability. Flexibility can be different depending on your leaders. Your location. The culture where you live. For example, if some leaders tend to be people pleasers, they will need to develop a purposeful presence in their groups. Others, who want to entertain and be the center of attention will need to build and refine their conversation and collaboration skills. This kind of adaptability, based on where your leaders are, will bring the greatest growth to your Small Group experience. It will be the best for everyone.
The importance of Small Group leaders cannot be overstated. Especially in these times of uncertainty, your Small Group leaders are where the “rubber meets the road.” They provide guidance and support for meeting the needs of your people.
By fostering an environment that empowers your Small Group leaders, you can best position them for success. Today and for the long term.
