Less Is More

Less is more. Being productive and efficient is key in today’s society.

No matter where you go or who you are, people want items quicker and more consistently. I think back to a recent flight, where I was traveling across a few states. No matter what line I was in, people wanted to get to the front of that and then through it quicker. From security to the food and, of course, onto the plane (and off the plane as well ☺). However, some lines will always be there, and some waits we will always experience.

This made me think about some of the lines and, honestly, some of the ways to do more by doing less. That answer for me has always been with “teams” if you develop and grow teams, you end up doing more as a group while doing less as a person. Here are some thoughts on this two-part series on “team-building.”

Doing less gets others involved 

One of the most significant benefits of building a strong team is allowing others to get involved. Often, many leaders need to develop and want to get better, but they have no chance or opportunity to work on their gifts. As you form a team, you also build capacity in others to do their role effectively. They will not do the role or task the same way you have done it, but honestly, you don’t want a clone; you want a leader. You must ask yourself how many leaders in your church or community want to provide meaningful help and support but haven’t been given a chance.

The more you hold onto areas of ministry, you’re saying that God hasn’t gifted anyone else to do it, and we know that’s not true. We know this because someone was doing this type of ministry, and honestly, after you, someone will do because God’s purpose and role are always bigger than us. As a result, let’s get someone involved on your team.

Doing less allows you to see

Less is more. When you empower and encourage others to use their gifts in ministry by being on your team, you also allow yourself a few moments to see. It is similar to a sports team and the coach. I played basketball through high school and some in college; one of the most significant advantages that the coaches had outside of their experience was their view.

Coaches are on the sidelines; they do not play in the game, but they can see the whole court or field.

This gives them the opportunity to make decisions without their hands being fully in on the game. You have heard it before, and it is true, working “on it” is different from working “in it.” As a leader, you value doing the work, but you also hold value as you can examine and see the work being done. When you can see, it allows you to advance.

Doing less allows you to advance

So, you have gotten others involved to use their gifts and you have stepped back so you can see. Now it’s time to advance and move forward. It allows you to move forward on the projects that truly only you can do when you do less. Advancing means that you can put your specific talents and gifts into play. This can move everything and everyone forward in the organization. Again, this can’t be done as long as you are a team of one, and as long as you are working “in it” instead of working “on it.” 

Why else is team building important, and how do you build your teams? This September 23rd, I will identify some crucial components to building your teams.