Authentic, Healthy, and Mission-Driven Organizations Do These 3 Things – Is Yours One of Them?

3 Key Indicators To Look For

A few weeks ago, I was on the road, meeting with clients and strategic partners. It’s always fascinating to observe the different dynamics and attitudes of the people I encounter. Sometimes, these interactions reveal underlying struggles that need diagnosing, while other times, they showcase thriving ministries. Occasionally, what’s presented as a strong ministry may not fully align with reality. As we navigate these conversations, we can often discern what is genuinely healthy and what is not—identifying when an organization is being authentic and when it might be off track.

During this trip, I was reminded of what good leaders do—they balance both the positive and negative realities and assign credit to the right people, rather than themselves. It was inspiring to witness an organization that does this exceptionally well.

Here are a few observations we’ve made when working with organizations that are healthy and united around a clear vision and mission:

• Leaders Focus on Vision and Team, Not Themselves - In healthy organizations, the primary leader talks more about the vision, mission, and the work of their team than about themselves. Leaders who put their ego aside to cheer for their team, pushing them toward goals and celebrating big milestones, exemplify servant leadership. True humility in leadership involves prioritizing the vision, mission, and team above personal recognition.
• Longevity and Low Turnover - Organizations that are healthy and mission-driven tend to have long-serving team members and low turnover rates. Growth and promotions often come from within, reflecting a deep commitment to the vision. For example, I recently visited a school where alumni have taken on leadership roles as staff or administrators—a powerful testament to the longevity and alignment with their mission.
• Empowered Storytelling Beyond the Organization - When an organization is structured around a clear vision and mission, everyone—from top leadership to the most junior team members and even volunteers—can see themselves as part of the bigger story. The story isn’t just told by the leadership; everyone becomes a storyteller, proud of the organization’s success and their role in it. This widespread ownership of the mission is a hallmark of a healthy organization.

While there are many factors that contribute to a truly healthy organization, these three stand out in our experience. If your organization embodies these traits, keep up the great work. However, if you’re struggling in these areas, consider the following steps:

1 - Embrace Humility

Humility isn’t something you can turn on and off—it’s a character quality. If you find yourself struggling with humility, I encourage you to revisit the life of Jesus. John 3:30 says, “He must become greater; I must become less.” Jesus’ life was marked by putting others before Himself. This doesn’t mean abdicating your responsibilities as a leader, but it does mean being intentional about placing others above yourself. The organization’s successes aren’t about your glory—they belong to the Lord. Celebrate the wins, give credit to others, and own the mistakes—even if they’re only partially your fault. This is part of being a humble and intentional leader.

2 - Address High Turnover

Fixing high turnover takes time, but it’s a worthwhile investment to build a culture where people want to stay and work toward a common purpose. Communicate your vision and mission clearly, giving people a reason to stay and contribute to the organization’s goals.

If turnover is a persistent issue, consider seeking outside help. Sometimes, an external perspective can provide clarity that you may not have. There are organizations that offer team-oriented assessments to evaluate your organizational culture. I also recommend the book Primed to Perform—while not faith-based, it offers valuable insights into creating a thriving, unified culture.

3 - Equip the Team to Tell the Story

If your organization’s story revolves around you, something is off. In personality-driven ministries, it’s common for everything to center around the founder or dominant personalities, making it difficult for others to see how they fit in. It’s crucial to tell the story of the organization through the lens of the people you’re helping and those who work alongside you.

Evaluate how you talk about your ministry. Does it revolve too much around certain individuals? If so, shift the focus to the mission and the transformation that’s happening. Use “we” as often as possible to include others in the success of the organization. When people feel they’re part of something bigger, their sense of ownership increases significantly.

I hope these observations and steps are helpful. We believe that every ministry has the potential to do great things for God. The more aligned and equipped you are toward your mission and vision, the more likely you are to see growth and success.

As always, I would love to talk if you have questions improving your ministry or communicating more effectively.

Thank you for your commitment to the Lord’s work. The work you do matters.

-Jason