When I served as the Associate Pastor for a large church I needed a way to connect with all my staff each week. In the same way, not that I am leading a smaller church, I want to ensure my staff feel cared for. Therefore I created a simple email process I refer to as “Touch Base Weekly.” It is a simple way I ask the staff to communicate with me about their job and their life. Allow me to explain:
What is it?
In an effort to make sure we are continually measuring our mission, and in order to guarantee the leadership is staying connected to the staff, I will send an email to each staff member, and elder as appropriate, called, “Touch Base Weekly.”
This is a weekly email that is sent to the staff giving them a few questions to answer that are “qualitative” more than “quantitative.” The questions allow the staff to share with me areas of concern both professionally and personally. This is a highly relational way of managing as it gives each employee the chance to share their life highlights and concerns with me as their leader.
How does it work?
I send out an email on Wednesday or Thursday mornings to all my staff – direct reports and those who work for them. The email usually has a small word of greeting and then asks them to “Touch Base” with me on by answering the three following questions. I also include my answer the questions in return for them so that they (1) can have an example of the types of answers I’m looking for and (2) so that they can get a peek into my life.
I ask then to reply back to me, and (if applicable) CC their direct report.
What are the Questions?
I try to change the questions up every once-in-a-while, but for the most part, they are ask follows:
- What did you accomplish in your key areas of responsibility this week”?
- What was the low point of your week?
- What was the High point of your week?
I always end on the “High” question for obvious reasons. When I change the questions up, it is usually for reasons on where they fall in a calendar year. A few examples would be:
– What are a few of your “Work/Ministry” New Year resolutions for this year?
– With the warm weather outside starting again, what are you going to do to enjoy it?
– If you had the opportunity to change one thing in this church outside your area of influence what would it be?
– What is one think you are most thankful for in your job?
In the end, I must say, the payback as a leader for this kind of interaction with my staff is priceless! Not only am I able to ensure we are staying on course, but I am able to care for those I lead with great intentionality because I know what is going on in their life!
