The Protege "Talk"

So you’ve discovered a group member with potential. Potential to step up and take steps to be an LH Group Leader. You’ve noted their engagement in the group, observed their care for people, contemplated their path to leadership, but now what? What’s your next step for helping them take their next step.

You need to have “the talk”. But what ever would you say?

Here’s a few basic tips and a generic script for how to have “the talk” with your protege.

Tip 1: Keep it simple and light. You don’t need a flowery speech or a salesman’s pitch. You’re just letting them know you see potential in them and you want to help them discover it by pointing them in the right direction and to develop it by giving them opportunities to try it out. Your goal is to inspire them to take this next step.

Tip 2: Share your story. Let them know about your own journey to being a leader. Share about how it’s been a joy to help connect people and strengthen their faith; or be transparent that you don’t always feel like you know what you’re doing. Wherever you’re at on the spectrum, just be honest with them.

Tip 3: Give them a clear call to action. Clear the path and point the way. Let them know that if they are interested in trying it that you will submit a Protege Recommendation Form to the LH Groups Team who will come along side of them from our end and help them discover and develop their potential as well. Let them know that to lead an LH Group they need to be a Partner of LH, have attended an LH Group for at least one semester and be in agreement with our Statement of Faith. (The LH Groups Team is available to answer any questions either of you might have about those prerequisites). And let them know how you’re going to be with them along the way. Finally, lay out a few simple steps about how you’re going to give them opportunities to grow into their potential within your current group.

The Script:

Hey ____________! I just wanted to share with you that I think you would make a great LH Group Leader. I’ve seen how you ______________ and noticed how you _______________ with/in the group. I believe you’ve got the potential to lead a group. Would you consider praying about this possibility? I’d love to join you in praying about it.

I remember when I first considered leading a group. [Tell your story]

If you’re interested, I’d like to start having you ___________, __________ or ____________ in the group.

Also I’m going to let the LH Groups Team know that you’re checking this out and they can come alongside of you to help figure things out as well.