Problem Prevention vs. Winning

By Doug Franklin January 25, 2011

When I think about my ministry, I often think about the problems we are facing and how to solve them. I even fall into the trap of thinking that good leadership is mostly about dealing with problems. As leaders, though, we should focus more on winning than on problem prevention. When a team is winning, problems become small, and team members quickly deal with them. Winning is infectious, and everyone wants to get the job done. Momentums hits, and nothing can stop your team.

This lesson rings true for me at LeaderTreks this week. We have lots of momentum — morale is high, staff feel cared for, sales are up, and the phone is ringing off the hook. I am not going to focus on problems right now, because doing so will steal our momentum, make us feel defeated, and drag us down. As a team, I want us to hold our heads up and focus on the bright future in front of us.

If your team lacks momentum, focus on winning. Where in your ministry are things going well? Place all your focus and energy there — celebrate your wins, and help your team to do the same. As you get the ball rolling in the right direction, watch your team become increasingly energetic.