Communication
A teammate is sharing concerns. Instead of preparing your response, you focus entirely on understanding their perspective.
What is Listen to Understand?
You pause your own project to help another ministry area succeed before an event.
What is Think Team First?
The best way to influence others according to the Fundamentals.
What is Lead by Example?
The very first Fundamental on the list.
What is Remember God?
After a disappointing event turnout, the team focuses on lessons learned rather than assigning blame.
What is Practice Blameless Problem-Solving?
A difficult conversation needs to happen. Instead of hiding behind email, you meet face-to-face.
What is When in Doubt, Communicate Personally?
Different departments work together to create a better solution than either could create alone.
What is Collaborate?
Instead of explaining why something cannot happen, you focus on how it can happen.
What is Find a Way?
This Fundamental reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously and to laugh every day.
What is Keep Things Fun?
You realize the old process isn't working and willingly try a new approach.
What is Embrace Change and Growth?
You address an issue directly with the person involved rather than complaining to others.
What is Speak Straight?
You simplify instructions, provide everything someone needs, and remove unnecessary obstacles.
What is Be Easy to Work With?
You approach every task with energy, urgency, focus, and enthusiasm.
What is Bring It Every Day?
You intentionally recognize a teammate's contribution rather than only pointing out mistakes.
What is Show Meaningful Appreciation?
A volunteer shares sensitive information. You carefully protect it and avoid discussing it unnecessarily.
What is Be Vigilant About Confidentiality?
Before reacting to a frustrating message, you choose to believe the sender's intentions were good.
What is Assume Positive Intent?
A teammate is struggling, so you take time to understand their pressures and challenges before responding.
What is Walk in Someone Else's Shoes?
You actively seek new skills, knowledge, and best practices to improve your effectiveness.
What is Be a Lifelong Learner?
Strong teams don't happen by accident. This Fundamental encourages getting to know teammates personally.
What is Invest in Relationships?
A staff member recognizes they're exhausted, takes a needed break, and establishes healthy boundaries.
What is Own Your Work-Life Balance?
A ministry leader shares feedback, asks questions, seeks to understand, and addresses concerns honestly and directly.
What are Listen to Understand and Speak Straight?
Two departments strongly disagree. They have healthy discussion, choose a direction, and then fully support the final decision.
What is Debate, Then Align?
A leader owns a mistake, apologizes, corrects it, and models integrity for the team.
What are Do the Right Thing, Always and Lead by Example?
A staff member recognizes a coworker's contributions, spends time getting to know them, and regularly encourages them.
What are Invest in Relationships and Show Meaningful Appreciation?
A visitor leaves saying, "I've never felt more welcomed or cared for at a church."
What is Deliver Legendary Service?