The health of a church staff invariably rests upon the quality of its leadership and, more specifically, how open that leadership is to feedback and communication. In the quest for a healthy, vibrant, and engaged church staff, the role of open communication cannot be overstated.
As found in the Healthy Church Staff Assessment, although 61% of church staff feel comfortable providing feedback to leadership knowing it would be well received, another 39% either disagreed or were unsure. The goal, in a perfect world, would be for every team member to feel heard, their feedback treated with respect and consideration. For church leadership, this presents a unique challenge and equally unique opportunity.
While a ~20% neutral feedback may mean unfamiliarity with communication processes due to newness in the role or quite simply, indifference, it should not be disregarded. To swing this group towards positivity, engagement is key. Sharing past feedback experiences and the resultant changes can effectively demonstrate the value leadership places on their team's input.
To transform the 21% negative feedback into a resource, church leadership must focus on fostering an environment where transparency and communication thrive. A culture of trust and open communication needs to be established, where feedback is freely offered, objectively evaluated, and, where viable, actions are taken to bring about the necessary changes. The negatives can be a guiding light to areas of improvement.
The keyword in turning around feedback, be it from the neutral or negative groups, is “action.” A staff member feels valued most when they see their suggestions effecting change in some form. It encourages further engagement and foments the notion that their voice matters.
Open communication and applying feedback is not just about solving current issues, it's also a proactive approach for the future. It aids in spotting potential problems and developing a solution before they escalate, attributing to the long-term health and growth of the church.
Church leadership can use feedback as an essential tool for improvement, creating a culture where staff feel heard, seen, and valued, resulting in a healthy church staff and effective ministry. It's time for leaders to pull up their sleeves, open up the communication channels, and pave the way for a thriving staff.
For more insights on the importance of open communication in church leadership, dig deeper in today's episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast! Interweaving your church's future with your team's ideas can kindle a brighter tomorrow.