A key difference between those who are joyful in their work and those who are miserable is whether or not they feel encouraged. Uplifting others goes a long way when it’s crunch time or when we’re attempting new obstacles and, as business owners, we must prepare ourselves and our team for constant change and adaptation. Our roles as leaders aren’t just managing and delegating tasks but also nurturing the potential of each team member, and encouragement is the divine ingredient.

Encouragement sets the stage for everyone to align and commit to the mission of the brand so that when expectations are communicated, it is received with open hearts. When thinking about how to be encouraging, let’s open our study bibles and explore the relationship between Paul and Timothy (1 & 2 Timothy). 

Timothy was young and eager to be used by God, but he had much to learn. Paul, as his mentor, guided him patiently, remembering his own past experiences and mistakes so he could offer the best support. Paul’s encouragement was pivotal in Timothy’s ability to carry out God’s plan for the church. Similarly, as business owners, we must approach our teams with the same level of mentorship to help them align with the mission God has given our businesses.

So, how can we encourage our teams in an impactful way? Here are some helpful tips inspired by Paul’s life:

Freely Give Positive Statements and Gratitude

When leading others, it’s helpful to put ourselves in their role to easily find moments to elevate and thank our team. Most of us love to hear uplifting comments and gratitude about our work because it affirms we are assets. Even if we have helpers that need dramatic improvement, having them in our businesses alleviates something we no longer have to do, so we should let them know our businesses are better because they are in it. We must set an example of encouragement by being specific, genuine and consistent with our gratefulness. Developing this leadership muscle motivates our teams to continue performing at a high level.

Develop Expectations of Others

As I previously mentioned, encouragement opens hearts. But, we don’t want to inspire our team to work on the wrong things, so it’s essential to develop clear and reasonable expectations based on a deep understanding of each person’s skills, maturity level and experience. Pushing people too quickly or intensely can cause them to retreat and mar their view of our businesses. Paul made this mistake with the mentorship of John Mark (Acts 13:13) which he later recognized just in time as he mentored Timothy (2 Timothy 4:11). 

We are all at different stages in our personal and professional journey, so we must analyze the strengths and weaknesses of our helpers to tailor our expectations for what they can realistically achieve. And, as our business matures, so will the expectations of our team without being overwhelming. 

Monitor Your Expectations of Others

Circumstances change, and so should expectations. Being a business owner calls for adaptation externally with our customers and internally with our staff. Sometimes, personal challenges can affect roles where we previously excelled, so it’s vital to treat our team with grace, empathy and understanding. We can do this without compromising the integrity of our business by revising and reducing our expectations and even letting our customers know what’s going on internally. We’re all imperfect humans, and that’s acceptable. Paul was adaptable in his mentorship with Timothy, always keeping in mind Timothy’s capacity to grow. We can do the same thing and help our team feel supported even when things get tough.

Clarify Your Expectations Along the Way

This goes hand-in-hand with the last point. It’s important to remember that clear expectations aren’t just set at the beginning of a project. We need repetition, so as things progress, we should continue communicating what we need and expect from our team. We should be proactive about checking in and assuring everyone is on the same page to prevent or eliminate confusion before an avoidable problem arises. Clarifying shouldn’t be an annoying task but should allow team members to feel confident in their tasks and meet our expectations. 

As we head into 2025, let’s commit to being business leaders who encourage, uplift and strengthen our teams. When we freely give encouragement and gratitude while setting clear expectations, we create an environment where people can thrive and expedite business success. The health and success of our businesses will be built on the foundation of a team that feels appreciated, motivated and aligned. God will allow the right people to enter our orbits, but it’s our duty to handle them with care. Just as Paul empowered Timothy to carry out God’s mission, you too can empower your team to achieve greatness. I have faith in you. 

Sheridan C. Watkins is a journalist and the owner of Perennial Peaces, a jewelry and gifts brand focused on transcending self-worth to all women. Her true work began after climbing out of a dark place with the help of God and therapy, and her life mission is to provide tangible peace through her Divine gifts to help women heal and transform their lives Follow the mission on Instagram and Facebook: @perennialpeaces.