It’s that time of year. School is getting out, vacations are around the corner, and the flow of parish life is changing. You and your staff might be a bit worn out after Lent, Easter and First Communions. This is a great time to ask yourself: what can I do to boost morale and genuine appreciation for my team?
Every PLT member, staff member, and volunteer is a human being who longs to be seen and supported both in their role and in their broader life. If you need some ideas on how to bridge this gap and build stronger trust and morale among your team, here are 5 great ideas to get you started.
- Holy Hour and Happy Hour: Spend an hour with your team in prayer. Then, enjoy a beverage and some snacks and share with one another how God is moving in your lives. Be sure to go first as the leader and share vulnerably to set the tone for the rest of your team.
- Best Staff Meeting Ever: Surprise your team by canceling an upcoming staff meeting. Instead, use the time to treat them to lunch or a fun outing. During this time, tee up some meaningful ways for your team to connect over conversation or recreation.
- Prayers of Thanksgiving: Gather your team to celebrate the ways that God has worked among your team and the broader parish this year. Discuss the ways you have seen him moving and invite team members to offer prayers of gratitude for fellow staff/volunteers who have impacted their lives this year.
- One on One Encouragement: Take time to meet with each of your direct reports one on one. Use this as a time to offer specific affirmation and praise as well as address areas for improvement. To make these meetings have a high impact, watch our recent webinar on Managing Others with Confidence.
- Team Movie Night: Gather your team to watch a spiritually enriching movie or show, such as The Chosen or The Search. Create space afterwards for sharing reflections and convictions.
We hope you find these ideas useful! We’re praying for you and your team this week.