Unless you are a rare find, the economic downturn has affected you and your staff/team. Perhaps the most common side effect of the downturn I’ve seen is demoralized church staffs. Even in settings that were very high growth, leaders have had to make adjustments, face red numbers, and find new ways of motivating their people. I’ve had the privilege of seeing some of our finest pastors and church leaders do so in the churches I help staff.

In yesterday’s post, I named clear vision as the number one motivator of staff. In a downturn or an upturn, people will walk through fire for a clear, compelling vision.

Here are two more motivators that I see in our best leaders:

1. Speak hope, curse fear. Our words are one of our most potent weapons in this world. They either create or destroy. What is the language of your leadership team? Is it hopeful, or fearful? I notice that even the best church leaders can get a little bit fearful with the recent downturn. I read a study of CEO’s and fear recently which pointed out that the most successful CEO’s are often the most susceptible to fear during a recession because they have always been successful. Is this your first time posting bad numbers? Unlike CEO’s, church leaders have a well of hope from the one who caused the hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness to be born out of Lamentations. If you did an audit of your language tonight with a side of the ledger for hope and a side for fear, which side of the scales would weigh heavier?

2. Take a nap. One of the wisest pastors I know tells his staff that the number one quality people are looking for in their leader is a Non Anxious Presence. I’ve shortened that up to N.A.P., and around our church, we talk about leaders being able to take a “NAP” when the rest of the world is worried.  Sort of like Jesus sleeping in the boat during a nerve wrecking storm. Whether pastors are sitting by a deathbed, or in a bad budget meeting, or leading through a tough season, true leaders are able to be calm, collected, and unaffected. Think of the people we elect to be President. Think of the heroes of the military. Very few were excitable. People love a motivational sermon, and an exciting message, but they don’t want a reactionary, excitable leader. Passionate leadership = good. Reactionary, anxious leadership = bad.  Can you encourage your team to take a nap? Can you better embody a non-anxious presence?

Are there other motivational tips you know? I’d love to hear them.