COACHING STAFF

One of the important responsibilities of Senior Pastors, Executive Pastors, or others in management is the need to manage other staff members.  I believe that the very best way to do this is to coach them.  Staff do not want to be ‘managed’; if anything, they would rather be given freedom to do their work with minimal hassles.

Here is a good balance to provide for staff members:  Freedom = Responsibility + Authority + Accountability.  What this means is that as you promise freedom to your staff for them to work, you need to define it clearly.

Responsibility – they will have a job to do, and you will clearly state the parameters of that responsibility.

Authority – they will be given the means to accomplish their job.  This will mean the power to make decisions relative to their area of responsibility (up to the point where it impinges on other staff or the larger church mission).  They will also be given the budget, and the tools to help make it happen.

Accountability – most healthy staff expect some reasonable levels of accountability.  They understand that, expect it, and sometimes welcome it.  The tricky part is to find the right balance, for it will not be the same for all staff members.

 

-- Dr. William T. Miller