Opening (5 mins):
- Icebreaker question: Share an experience (positive or negative) you’ve had with organizational leadership structures.
- Question: Why is having a well-designed leadership framework important for an organization like YWAM?
YWAM Value #7: We are broad-structured and diverse, yet integrated.
“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22
Understanding YWAM’s Reporting Structure (15 mins):
- Present an overview of YWAM’s organizational reporting hierarchy and rationale
- Discuss the importance of leader accessibility at all levels
- Question: From your cultural perspective, what factors influence effective reporting relationships?
- Allow participants to share views on hierarchy, authority, etc.
YWAM Value #11: We exhibit servant leadership as a lifestyle.
“The greatest among you will be your servant.” Matthew 23:11
Setting a Manageable Number of Direct Reports (20 mins):
- Explore the concept of “span of control” in simple terms: the number of people each leader directly oversees
- Too many direct reports can overload a leader and impact their effectiveness
- Too few direct reports may create unnecessary layers of hierarchy
- Question: In your experience, what are the pros and cons of a leader having:
- A very large team of direct reports?
- Only a couple of direct reports?
- Discuss factors that influence an appropriate span of control:
- Cultural preferences for closer/looser supervision
- Complexity of tasks/roles
- Team experience levels
YWAM Value #14: We value the individual and their gifts/callings.
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.” 1 Corinthians 12:4
Break (5 mins)
Prioritizing Cross-Cultural Communication (20 mins):
- Importance of open communication between leadership levels in a multicultural organization
- Question: What potential communication barriers exist across cultures and hierarchies?
- Allowing examples to be shared (e.g. saving face, power distance, etc.)
- Strategies for facilitating open communication up, down, and across YWAM’s leadership:
- Establishing communication norms/expectations
- Creating feedback mechanisms and safe spaces for voicing concerns
- Embracing tools/techniques that accommodate diverse styles (written, oral, etc.)
YWAM Value #18: We communicate with integrity – truthfully and relevantly.
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become…the whole Body.” Ephesians 4:15
Closing (10 mins):
- Question: How can YWAM’s organizational framework promote effective cross-cultural leadership?
- Personal commitment: In what way could you improve communication within YWAM’s leadership?
- Recap key principles: Balanced hierarchy, manageable supervision, open communication
YWAM Value #13: We are dedicated to being relationship-oriented.
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:10