Encouragement is fuel for the soul.

Whether you are an organizational leader, a CEO, a senior pastor, or a support staff member, we all have a responsibility to create a culture of encouragement. I remember being on staff at a really large church and I was there for two and a half years. In that two and a half years I only met with the pastor a few times and only ate with him once. This to me was a huge red flag as to what the culture spoke to me. I did some investigating with the pastor’s assistant and asked “Is he a relational person?” I’ll never forget the answer and it is one that has helped me make sure I create a healthy culture no matter what position or organization I’m in. She said, “If you don’t hear from him then everything is alright.”

WOW! What a terrible commentary on a person’s leadership.

In the time I was on staff, the only time I heard from executive leadership was if I had done something wrong. This is so common in a lot of cultures but, unfortunately, at the same time it creates a culture of fear. If you are the boss and the only time your team hears from you is when something goes wrong, you are leading from a place of fear and nobody wants to work for a leader they are scared of.

It’s time to start catching people doing the right things. When we find people who are doing their job right, then tell them! Sometimes we think if we just pay someone enough or not micro-manage them and let them do their thing, then they probably don’t need to hear from us. Well, there are some folks built that way and that’s ok, but for the most part, most people aren’t. In order to build a healthy culture and bring morale to it’s highest heights, you must be a leader that encourages people. Encouragement is fuel for the soul! When we have a culture of encouragement it helps people know they are moving the right direction and will ultimately help you reach more people or make more money depending on what line of work you are in. Happy people are productive people. When people FEEL like they are accepted and that acceptance comes through encouragement, they are naturally more productive and passionate about what they are doing.

Good culture isn’t just one thing, it’s everything. It’s how people act, how the organization feels, what people experience on a day to day; many things contribute to good culture. The most inexpensive and powerful form of motivation is encouragement. If you are a leader of a business, church, or home, then I challenge you to take a temperature of the culture. Is it cold, is it hot, or is nice and warm where people can feel comfortable in their own skin? The answer to this question will tell you how healthy your culture is.