Leading Laterally

Leading laterally is two groups working together and influencing each other. Whether it’s the on stage team or those on the tech team, we’re all one team together. There’s a need for mutual understanding, good preparation, and trust. These traits keep the team together in a close working environment.

Collaboration Between Teams

Leading laterally involves influencing and working with others to build effective lateral relationships. This requires understanding, empathy, and mutual respect.
  • Recognize the pressures and responsibilities of each role.
  • Develop empathy by understanding the challenges faced by your peers.

Bridging the Gap

Leading laterally is hard. A big challenge is bridging the gap between those on stage and those in the booth. This gap can create misunderstandings and hinder cooperation.
  • Engage in regular, informal interactions outside of service times to build relationships.
  • Encourage leaders from both teams to collaborate and set a unified vision.
  • Both teams should be working towards a common goal to create engaging worship.

Preparation and Communication

Preparation is crucial for both production and worship teams. Being well-prepared allows for smoother rehearsals and creates time for team-building activities.
  • Ensure all tech components are prepped and ready before rehearsals.
  • Worship team members should come prepared with their parts learned.

Mutual Support

Support within and between teams is vital for effective lateral leadership. This means doing one's duties well and being available to help others.
  • Make an effort to check in on team members and offer help when needed.
  • Encourage a culture where team members from different areas support each other.
  • Build trust by being reliable and demonstrating a willingness to collaborate.
FILO (First In Last Out) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization built around supporting technical artists who serve the local church, designed to provide skill development, community and inspiration to equip technical artists to become effective contributors to their local church. Learn more and join the community at filo.org.

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Leadership
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