Linda quit today. Walked in sat down said I'm done.

Linda who saves my butt every week. Shows up early organizes everything. Gets kids to listen when they should be bouncing off walls.

Asked why.

"Feel like furniture. Nobody really sees me."

Been staring at computer for hour trying to figure out how I screwed this up so bad.

Tonight we're talking about my failed Tony Robbins phase where I tried being everyone's hype man. How I thought bagels would motivate people. Why Amazon gift cards made volunteers uncomfortable like I was paying them to serve God.

Also what happened when I stopped guessing what people needed and actually asked them. How Linda just needed different schedule not more appreciation. Why fixing practical problems works better than cheerleader speeches.

Turns out motivation isn't pumping people up. It's removing stuff that makes them want to disappear.

For leaders whose good volunteers are quietly miserable, anyone who thinks gift cards fix everything, and people ready to try listening instead of assuming.
Check out KidsMinistry.Blog for more ideas, tips, and resources to help your Children's Ministry thrive!"