Your leadership team is on mission for the organization to carry out certain goals and purposes. However, just because they are on mission, doesn’t mean they are properly equipped. So when the creator of the universe sends his “leadership team” on a mission, we should pay attention and implement the same steps for our team.
Matthew 10 provides this simple, yet highly beneficial framework for equipping leaders:
- Give authority and ownership to the right people
- Send them with clear, explicit instructions
- Warn and equip them for the roadblocks and struggles they will face
- Reassure them that you have their back
- Remind them of their final reward and why their work matters
Let’s attempt to unpack this in a practical way for our business:
- He gives them authority and ownership in verse 1 – Pause here. This seems basic, but it’s vital. Do our leaders actually have the authority to make big decisions or are they constantly needing approval and buy-in from above?
- He sends them with clear instructions in verses 5-15 – Jesus was explicit in where to go, what to do and how to do it. Do our leadership teams have this same level of clarity? Subsequently, are they able to pass this on to their teams accurately and concisely without losing part of the vision?
- He warns them about the struggles they will face in verses 16-20 – This is vital to preventing burnout. Does our team know the various roadblocks, cultural pushback, or other challenges they will face? Have we prepared our leader so they are not surprised or blindsided by unforeseen setbacks and challenges?
- He reassures them in verses 26-33 – Our leadership team needs reassurance that the leadership/owners and the company have their back. That is easier said than done. Do our leaders move with confidence knowing that they have the organization’s resources, support, and commitment? Or are they too timid to own their roles for fear of making mistakes?
- He reinforces why they are being sent, and their reward in verses 34-42 – Does pointing to our business’ mission, vision and goals bring purpose and meaning to the work at hand? What is the reward our employees are working toward? Does the team believe in the mission and why it matters?
Which of these 5 elements are you currently doing well and which ones need attention? Consider talking through these principles with your leadership team to see how they are equipping their direct reports as well.