For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
A small group of us were receiving some coaching on how to encourage healthier engagement with everyone on the team. There was one recommendation that stood out to me above the others: Every one-on-one meeting with team members should be 60% encouragement, 30% coaching, and 10% job performance improvement.
This recommendation is brilliant and clear. The application extends far beyond team building in an organization. Consider other areas of life and think about what the outcomes might be if we adjusted to this in our relationships.
Reflection: In reading Paul’s second letter to Timothy, chapter 1 has this rich combination of encouragement, coaching, and improvement:
- Encouragement: Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again. I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
- Timothy 1:3-7 NLT
- Coaching: So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.
- Timothy 1:8-9 NLT
- Improvement: Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.
2 Timothy 1:13-14 NLT
Encouragement
Paul gives us a great example with Timothy of leading with encouragement, providing some coaching, and pointing out improvement. Give thought as to how you can do this in your circles of influence.
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for reminding us to lead in our relationships with encouragement. Thank You for providing us with good example of coaching. Thank You for the best guidance in the world, through Your word, to be living with a sense of becoming more like You in our thoughts and actions.
In Jesus name, Amen