The attitude of serving others must be part of every leader’s makeup.

This is especially vital when you serve with a team and need the wisdom of your teammates. While it is crucial each team member has the freedom to disagree with the others, once a decision is reached, every member should support it.

At times when I did not agree with decisions, for instance, I expressed my disagreement within our inner circle, but when it was time to roll out the decision, I supported it wholeheartedly.

The non-negotiables are doctrine, mission and values.

I call this “critical loyalty.” By critical loyalty, I mean that no one in a subordinate position should be a doormat and just say “Yes” to everything and never offer contrary input. Keeping important concerns to yourself does not constitute being a good member of a team.

I’ve told our General Council Executive Leadership Team, “You’re not serving me well if you have viewpoints different from mine, and you don’t express them. I need to hear because I’m not gifted with infallibility. Let’s have open dialogue.”

Leadership is not about occupying an office. It’s about getting something done for the Lord. And any accomplishment requires discernment about what is to be done.

To that end, an effective leader distinguishes between what is negotiable and what is non-negotiable. The non-negotiables are doctrine, mission and values. What is negotiable is methodology — how we get there.

Adapted from the book Road Trip Leadership: Mileposts Along My Way in Ministry (Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 2011).