TN153 How not to manage volunteers!

First published on this website in April 2024

Synopsis

Many church members ‘manage’ others, usually volunteers. But this is often done badly. So the notes provide eight examples of what can go wrong to show how the volunteers feel in each case. The eight are:

1. Little idea of the big picture
2. Instructions that are too vague
3. Supervision that is overbearing
4. Goal posts that move
5. Panic deadlines
6. Lack of support
7. No praise or thanks
8. Little motivation to develop

All eight also apply to normal line management of paid staff. The notes are written from the point of view of the volunteers, but the lessons to learn are for their managers. By taking a ‘how not to’ approach the dangers become apparent and the corrective action can appear more clearly.