The #1 way staff build trust with their leader is by receiving delegation well — not just taking the task, but owning the responsibility and follow-through.
In this episode, Mark, Scott, and Hunter unpack what it actually looks like to “receive the baton” as a staff member. Because delegation only works when the handoff is handled with clarity, pace, and trust — and too often, great leaders delegate well but teams don’t know how to carry the weight.
You’ll learn how to:
- Understand your leader’s communication style (and why over-communication always wins)
- Protect quality and pace so your leader never feels like they need to take the task back
- Ask the five clarity questions every receiver needs before saying “got it”
- Use the 5 Levels of Delegation so you know exactly what authority you have
Solve problems before escalating them (and use the 1-3-1 method when you can’t)
- Build trust by inviting feedback early instead of waiting until it’s “perfect”

Whether you’re a senior pastor delegating to your team, a staff pastor carrying major responsibility, or a leader trying to grow in reliability and influence — this episode will help you stop dropping the baton and start earning more trust.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 — Why unresolved problems in delegation leak trust
00:36 — The #1 way to get promoted: receiving delegation well
01:42 — The relay race metaphor: why batons get dropped
02:06 — Two types of delegators: “no news is good news” vs “silence = nothing’s happening”
03:31 — Over-communicating progress builds trust with any leader
05:08 — What leaders are always thinking: quality + pace
06:32 — How weekly red/yellow/green updates keep alignment
07:31 — Don’t rush to say yes — slow down for clarity
08:39 — The 5 questions every receiver must ask
09:34 — The 5 Levels of Delegation (circle the one you’re in)
12:19 — Define “done” + what a home run looks like
13:43 — Agree on update cadence before you start
15:10 — “Yes, but…” how to clarify priorities without saying no
17:23 — Solve before you escalate + the 1-3-1 method
21:01 — Ask for feedback early (don’t protect your “precious snowflake”)
22:30 — Final recap: how to stop dropping the baton

If you have a question or topic you’d like us to tee up on a future episode, email us at [email protected]