The Big Picture: And/Or

Is your team an AND team or an OR team? An AND team does everything. An OR team makes those tough decisions about what to do. Here are some examples:

Example #1: Does your team: record weekly services AND produce the media AND sell the media?

Example #2: Does your team: oversee building repair AND building security AND  building cleaning?

Sometimes we let ourselves get so wrapped up in everything that needs to be done that we forget to ask the AND/OR question. Instead, there may be another option: keep what you do today and let another team take on the other need.

Don’t think it is possible to do only one thing but not the other? It may be more possible than you think, especially when the options only relate closely in some way. Using our examples above:

Example #1 (Revisited): Recording weekly services requires a good ear for the sound and a good eye for color. Producing media requires an understanding of video/audio production, the needs of the listeners/viewers, and distribution mechanisms. Media sales requires an understanding of packaging, pricing, and marketing. The only thing in common – they involve a recorded event.

Example #2 (Revisited): Building repair requires handling a diverse set of emergencies. Building security requires protecting church and visitor valuables and identifying potential problems before they start. Cleaning a building requires a heart for details and visitor experience. The only thing in common – the building.

This is why it is important to stop and look at the big picture. You may realize that you answered an OR question with an AND answer. 

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