I receive daily devotions from Luther Seminary. Today's was from 1 Corinthians 12, on spiritual gifts. The NLT translation reads, starting with verse 7: A spiritual gift is given to each of us so that we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing...
After sharing many more spiritual gifts, the chapter goes on to talk about how we all, together, make up one body, and God has put each part just where he wants it. (verse 18)
As leaders, is it not our duty, then, to use all the parts just as God wants them used? We are called to discover our gifts, and the gifts of our teammates, so we can put them to full use.
Romans 12 (which, in my mind, is a recipe for strong leadership) implores us to be honest in our evaluation of ourselves (verse 3). Being honest about our own gifts and challenges is the foundation of being able to understand the gifts of others. I guess I haven't known a leader who could be keenly aware of the gifts of others but unaware of her own.
So, if you want a highly productive team that works well together (and then, by the way, has fun doing it!), start by being completely honest with yourself about your gifts and challenges. Then, start seeing your teammates through the lens of all the potential God gave them.
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