Making Time for REALationships Part 2

Creating genuine relationships with those who work with you begins with having an authentic relationship with the Lord. It’s hard to care when your relationship is not authentic. REAL relationships take time and energy, it’s worth the investment. Leadership Development goes many ways; one of the most important attributes is the relational approach. People have to know you care about them. Many of mistakes we make results from our get the job done mentality. My experience has shown me if you give a little those you follow will give much. Sometimes it’s the phone call or the email that says, “just thinking about you, how are you doing? It’s the little things that make a tremendous difference. Jesus modeled this deep care and concern when he came to see Martha and Mary after the brother Lazarus passed. There are many faucets to the story but the fact remains, Jesus the son of God took time to go see close friends who lost a loved one. Jesus risked being stoned. Jesus arrived 2 days later but he came. Not to mention he washed His is disciple’s feet, what a servant’s heart! Jesus left the blueprint on relationships all we need to do is follow it.

I have a friend who lost a relative; her disappointment came not when she learned of her relative’s departure but when leadership never responded to her email. I’m not saying they intentionally disregarded her; sometimes during the haste we forget to care for those that are close and dear to us. Sometimes we tend to take close relationships for granted.

Leadership is hard work and building real relationships is a huge part of the task. What do you do when relationship building does not come natural for you? What do you do when your personality is more of the “get it done” type? What do you do when you barely have time to care for your family and to add others to the list is torture? I found in my leadership practices it is good to staff towards your weakness. If this is a weak area for you don’t feel bad. Find a volunteer or staff person who keeps you abreast of all the things going on within your team. Assign a person to send cards, emails, notes on your behalf just for care. I must admit, I’m the worst with birthdays but Facebook is helping in that area. My team administrator reminds me of birthdays of team members. Sometimes it’s the smallest touches that go the farthest. Make it a point to build REALationships this year. Start by getting to know those who serve with you intimately. This begins with building a true authentic relationship with our Father in Heaven.

Practical steps:

1. Heart check; examine your relationships with family, friends, volunteers, staff and co-workers.
2. Ask God to help you become genuine and to give you a greater heart for people
3. Strive to create ways to become a better leader who cares.
4. Send a getting to know you email with random questions and facts to your team.
5. Find ways to acknowledge and care for team members at each meeting.
6. Speak words of life to those you serve and lead.
7. Place people around you who have a gift for building relationships
8. Model the way Jesus cared for his disciples