The Ideal Team Player: Building Teams That Reflect the Heart of Christ

When it comes to leadership and teamwork, few frameworks have been as practical and insightful as Patrick Lencioni’s The Ideal Team Player. His three simple yet powerful virtues—Humble, Hungry, and Smart—capture what it means to build a team that works well together and honors God in the process.

In ministry settings, where teams carry both spiritual and organizational weight, these virtues take on deeper meaning. Over the years, I’ve seen how these principles not only create healthier teams but also shape the spiritual culture of the church itself.

Humble: The Posture of Christ

Lencioni defines humility as a lack of excessive ego or concern for status. Humble people are quick to point out the contributions of others and slow to seek attention for their own. They define success collectively rather than individually.

That description reads almost like a commentary on Philippians 2, where Paul reminds us that Jesus “made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.”

As C.S. Lewis would say, "Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself—it’s thinking of yourself less." It’s the willingness to celebrate others, to admit mistakes, and to choose service over spotlight.

In ministry teams, humility keeps us aligned with our mission instead of our personal preferences. It reminds us that we’re not building our own platforms but God’s Kingdom. When we model Christlike humility, we create a culture of confession, not competition; of learning, not leveraging status; and of possibility, not posturing. Trust becomes the byproduct, and unity follows naturally.

Hungry: The Drive for Kingdom Impact

The second virtue, Hungry, is about drive and initiative. Hungry leaders are always looking for more—more opportunities to grow, serve, and advance the mission. They don’t need to be pushed to take action because they’re self-motivated by purpose.

In his book Beyond High Performance, Jason Jaggard draws a helpful distinction between complaining (“It is what it is”) and ownership (“Because that’s exactly the way I want it”). The difference is radical responsibility. Hunger isn’t about striving—it’s about stewardship. It’s the recognition that God has entrusted us with influence, and we’re called to use it faithfully.

In ministry, this means showing up early, preparing well, praying hard, and taking initiative when no one is watching. It means being faithful with what’s in front of us and willing to step into what’s next. Hungry leaders don’t just talk about change—they take ownership for creating it.

Smart: The Wisdom of Emotional Intelligence

The final virtue—Smart—is often misunderstood. It’s not about IQ or technical knowledge; it’s about people smarts. Smart team players have good judgment about how their words and actions affect others. They listen well, show empathy, and adjust their communication to strengthen relationships.

This is where emotional intelligence (EQ) comes in.

In The EQ Leader, Dr. Steven Stein notes that a leader’s emotional self-awareness can account for over 24% of their team’s performance. High EQ leaders create trust, foster collaboration, and help people feel valued. They manage their own emotions in a way that keeps the team grounded and motivated.

For ministry teams, being “Smart” means being attuned to the situations and people God has placed around you. It’s discerning the emotional temperature in the room, navigating conflict with grace, and understanding when and how to speak—and when to listen. Emotional intelligence is not just a soft skill; it’s a spiritual skill. It reflects the fruit of the Spirit—patience, gentleness, and self-control—applied to influential leadership.

Becoming The Ideal Team Player, and the Kind of Team God Can Use

When leaders are humble enough to serve one another, hungry enough to keep growing, and smart enough to love others well, the team becomes a reflection of Christ, working in harmony.

Those teams move with unity. They pursue clarity. They embody both truth and grace.

The most effective ministry teams I’ve worked with aren’t just strategically aligned—they’re full of ideal team players.

If you’re ready to develop your team…

I help ministry teams build clarity, connection, and culture through tools like The Ideal Team Player, The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, and The 6 Types of Working Genius.

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