Richard Allen on How to Build a Winning Team

Richard Allen knew how to cast a vision, build a winning team, and successfully navigate through conflict to achieve a goal. In his autobiography, he reflects upon a decisive moment in the genesis of the church. We then held an election, to know what religious denomination we should unite with. At the election, it was determined--there were two in favor of the Methodist, the Rev. Absalom Jones, and myself, and a large majority in favor of the Church of England. The majority carried (Allen, 1833, p. 16).

The above sentiments may reveal that Allen innately understood the potency of the cliché, “teamwork makes the dream work.” Without a question, Allen’s vision to resurrect a house of worship for the outcast was clear, compelling, and challenging. The task, I would contend, centered not on his God-vision rather the team.

Stewart (1999, p.3) would define a team as “…a collection of individuals who exist within a lager social system such as an organization, who can be identified by themselves and others as a team, who are interdependent, and who perform tasks that affect other individuals and groups.”
Moreover, teams can fulfill one’s need for affiliation with others, improve their overall quality of life, and enhance job production (Steward, 1999).

Stewart et al (1999, p. 83-88) cautions, however, that team building is not automatic rather it occurs in five stages. The phases are: (1) Forming or when individuals come together and begin to think of themselves as members of a team. (2) Storming or when team members begin to disagree with one another. The storming stage breeds conflict. (3) Norming or the phase of development in which the members come together and begin to feel a sense of belonging. (4) Performing or when member work synergistically to accomplish their collective objectives. (5) Adjourning takes place as the team begins to break up and individual members move on to other activities.

The team of oppressed believers was formed when they walked out of a church that pulled Rev. Jones from his knees during prayer – Forming. Storming occurred during the election as conflict emerged regarding denominational affiliation. Norming was the order of the day as Allen navigated the team to a win/win outcome. Performing transpired as the team stood up to build Mother Bethel and adjourning become apparent as African Methodism flourished during that era.

Are you endeavoring to build a winning team and currently facing conflict? Take a page out of Bishop Allen’s “play book” and ask yourself these questions:

(A) Do I have a true vision from the Lord or is the dream laced with vainglory?
(B) Are you coming to the table asking what’s in it for me or are you asking what’s best for the rest?
(C) Can you lose your right to be right for the sake of the team?

Beloved, if your motives are pure and you are prepared for the “storming” stage, God will grant you the grace to coach your team into greatness for the Glory of the Lord!

It’s NOT about us,

Allen, R. (1833). The Life, Experience, and Gospel Labours of the Rt. Rev. Richard Allen. To Which is Annexed The Rise and Progess of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States of America. Containing a Narrative of the Yellow Fever in the year of our Lord . Philadelphia: Marin and Boden, Printers.

Stewart, G. L., Manz, C. C. & Sims, H. P. Jr. (1999). Team work and group dynamics. New York: John Whiley & Sons, Inc.