parking lot attendant . There ’ s a missing piece in the ministry machine and frankly , it doesn ’ t matter who fills it . This can lead a volunteer or team member to feel more like a cog in the wheel than a valued team member . There ’ s no significance in being an easily replaceable machine part .
We ’ re all looking for significance , so much so that we ’ ll even give up good things in order to feel that thrill of importance . Significance is an innate human need . At some point , more money doesn ’ t add much value to your life . But more significance does .
In any job someone performs — whether volunteer or paid — they want to feel :
• like their work is important .
• like they are bringing something unique and valuable to the job .
• like they ’ re excellent in their job and are the right person for their role .
• that their leaders and their co-workers value their effort .
However , when a team member doesn ’ t feel significant in their role , the whole team begins to break down . One bad apple really will spoil the whole bunch .
Feeling significant is often the thing that turns an unmotivated worker into the most motivated person on the team . If you ’ re a leader , ask yourself how your team members feel . Are they merely interchangeable machine parts ? Or is there a sense of “ missing out ” when they have to be absent one week ?
Here are some ideas on creating a culture of significance in your team :
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