I wonder if you are familiar with the “Start Stop Continue” retrospective?
It is an intuitive team tool & framework that encourages teams to ask each other 3 key questions on a regular basis:
1.What is it we should we START doing that we’re not currently doing?
2.What is it that we need to STOP doing that is not helping us?
3…And what is it we should we CONTINUE doing that is going well?
This framework was designed for continual recalibration and alignment within teams. It keeps teams goals & focus on track., & it helps us discover why the things that are working; are working, so we can then identity and fix them when they are broken..
Caitie Wall has been using this tool with her teams and for herself personally over a few years. Here are 3 things she’s learned in the last 12 months:
1 Thing Started
1 Thing Stopped
1 Thing Committed to Continuing
1 THING STARTED
Speaking the Truth in Love
One of the greatest gifts we can give our leaders and one of the kindest acts towards those who are leading us – our campus pastors and our churches – is to speak the truth in love.
In fact – it’s actually what JESUS did (He was all about grace and truth), and what Ephesians 4:15 counsels us to do – to speak the truth in love (agape, self-sacrificial love, that works for the benefit of those on the receiving end) that we might grow in maturity and be built up as believers.
Reasons why we may not speak the truth in love:
It can be easier to overextend and do the work, rather than to address things, have the hard conversations and embrace the tension.
Trust may have not been built and it may not feel like a safe space for an honest conversation.
Because we are unable to articulate maturely and with care – and bring understanding and perspective – to a leader that perhaps didn’t understand our creative environment.
So HOW do we to practically speak the truth in love?
Through intentionally building of authentic relationships with our leaders
By learning to communicate the cost of a “yes”, as opposed to just saying “no”.
On This:
We have a finite amount of resources in our hand, we are trusted to steward well. We have a whole lot of creatives in our care that are A PART of the church body, not a hired hand or disposable asset.
Educate and help your leaders prioritise what is most important. Position your leaders for growth and health.
By communicating with CARE (time & place) & COMRADERY in mind.
Ask yourself: does my leader know I care about what they care about, as much as they
care about it?
By communicating with Clarity (no casting shadows or spinning). By communicating the WINS!
1 THING STOPPED
Trying To Do It All
There is something “WHITE SPACE” – spaces in your calendar between meetings and projects where you can recalibrate, allow yourself room to think, plan and prepare.
Your LIFE should allow for white space.
In order to do this – NOT DOING IT ALL – is key.
HOW? 3 KEY AREAS: OUTSOURCING, AUTOMATION & ASKING FOR HELP.
Embracing OTHERS
Outsource and empower others, and allowed people the opportunity to lead in their lanes. Thoughtful delegation allows others in your team to step into what God has gifted them with.
Embracing What Is Important! (releasing the urgent)
REACTIVITY vs PROACTIVITY
Instead of discipling the masses, model how Jesus did it; disciple your core.
1 THING CONTINUED
A Commitment To Learning.
In 2022 it’s really easy to position ourselves to be learners. Who is waiting on the other side of your growth?
Listen.
PODCAST RESOURCES:
Nicky and Pippa Gumbel – the bible in one year – consuming the word of God
Ask NT Wright Anything – great theological discussions and topics for pastoring. *Carey Nieuwhoff – “the art of leadership daily” – 10min versions of his 2hr podcasts.
The Daily Aus – for Australia – 10mins Australian and World News Highlights every day
Ask For Feedback
Ask for feedback also from other generations young and old.
Catie Wall
Brisbane Creative
Feb 16 2024