Teamwork - An Essential for Facility Managers

MESSAGE FROM NACFM PRESIDENT TORY KORTHUIS

As I sit here on the roof of my church watching the lightning storm move closer and closer, I’m laughing at myself. I’m up here trying to reinstall an antenna that was blown over from the last storm. I realize that I should have asked for help! I am that guy that jumps on a simple request or runs out to fix something, thinking "I can do it myself, and it will only take a moment." Now, I am starting to feel the rain and hear the crack of lightning as I’m holding a wired 15’ metal rod in the air regretting I didn’t have someone give me a hand. I know. I know. We are all shaking our heads at this one, but I didn’t want to bother anyone. Can you relate?

God doesn’t want us to be lone rangers. He created us to walk alongside others. We are called a maintenance TEAM for a reason.

God tells us, “Two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together.” - Ecclesiastes 4:9

When you work as a team, you get so much more accomplished. Plus, having good teammates alongside you is a whole lot more fun and less tiring!

I have two guys that work with me in the maintenance department, David and Scott. If you are within earshot, you might hear them yell at each other, crack jokes, and poke at one another. You may wonder if they are fighting or arguing, but if you listen in, you might start to laugh with them and smile. They are brothers, in the real sense of the word. I love my team!

I can appreciate the unique gifts and talents of each of our maintenance team members. Each one is good at something and brings that skill to the table.

“For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” - Ephesians 2:10

God put us on earth to do a certain work that only we can do. Ephesians says that God created us to do good works and that he planned in advance what we would spend our lives doing. Hold this thought till the end. However, the Father didn’t plan for us to do that work alone. We need people to work with us.

Even churches that have only one maintenance person on staff still need to create a team around that one person that can be called on when help is needed. Finding a few volunteers or staff members who might be willing and available to lend a hand can make a world of difference. It’s all about relationships, and building relationships equals building a team.

This past Easter Sunday, I knew ahead of time that I did not have parking volunteers. So, I am out there flagging cars and pointing them in the direction of the nearest parking space. They came in faster than I could keep up, and I knew who to call for help. I knew if I called him, he would not hesitate to help regardless of his position at the church. Mind you, this is one busy dude. Sure enough, one call to our Director of Operations and Matt was putting on a vest and lining cars up in the softball field with a huge smile and a willing heart. No questions asked. Teamwork!!

If you're like me, you enjoy getting things done. It's such a pleasure to see our team working like a well-oiled machine getting the job done. However, there are some warning signs to be aware of for you and your team. These signs are like the warning lights on your car’s dash. You know something is amiss and will require some assessment. If you or others are feeling exhausted and burned out, if careless mistakes are being made, and more injuries are happening, if there is backbiting and grumbling and a general sour mood within your team then these are warning signs. Being a good leader means that you need to be watchful for these things and work towards building your team. Are you the one that needs oil or maybe someone in your team? Spend time with your team and begin to oil the machine. We can’t do this alone, and honestly, we don’t want to. We need one another and they need us.

As you walk through life, remember that you’re not supposed to do everything on your own. You need other people to walk alongside you, and other people also need you. As you share the burden of your work with fellow Christians, you’ll find that you actually accomplish more for the glory of God.

The best thing we can do for our team is to be an effective leader. A leader empowers, inspires, leads, and teaches. A big part of our job as facility managers is to build a team. A good leader will know the strengths and weaknesses of their team and assist with refining the strengths and overcoming the weaknesses. A good leader will build camaraderie and a servant-centered team. As you pour into team members and help them grow, they also are helping you become a better manager. The ultimate goal is to grow the team to a point that one of them will be able to step into your position down the road and lead the way. That is true “teamwork” that honors the Lord, gets the work done, and enriches your church community.

Remember I said earlier to hold on to that thought? Well, did any of us really know we were called to be facilities managers? I definitely did not. However, God knew.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

I’m blessed to work at place that values me as a Christian and a leader, and I thank the Lord for the great job that he has given me. It is a privilege to build my team. I hope you feel the same way.

God Bless...

Tory Korthuis 
NACFM President

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Brad Mathe Jr.
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