People can become uncomfortably defensive when they hear the phrase: "Hey, can I give you some feedback?" This reaction is normal, but as a church staff member, feedback is a growth aspect that's helpful rather than detrimental. Today, let's explore how feedback can transform from a feared notion to a contributor to a thriving church staff culture.
Feedback is often associated directly with criticism or complaint, and this association makes it feel intimidating. Also, because church ministry is highly relational, there's a tendency to curtail feedback to avoid damaging these relationships. We need to acknowledge that feedback is a part of ministry and leadership, but more importantly, it’s a path towards improvement.
Feedback should move away from being threatening to becoming normal and encouraging in a team culture. Here are three tips that can be beneficial:
Start with Encouragement: If feedback is always associated with issues or poor performance, it naturally becomes something your team dreads. So, it’s important to create a culture of encouragement where positive feedback is as common as discussions of weather. Instead of formalizing it, inject positive remarks into regular conversations.
Make it Ongoing: Avoid relegating feedback to once-a-year or quarterly occasions. You want a culture where feedback is a natural and continuous conversation, fostering trust and transparency.
Be Clear but Not Cruel: Present feedback in a way that is clear but not harsh. Remember, your goal is to build up, not put down. Focus on specific behaviors, not personal traits. Pair your feedback with guidance on how recipients can improve.
In a perfect world, all feedback, negative or positive, would be received in good spirit. Unfortunately, feedback can sometimes backfire, no matter how positive or professional. It requires an existing strong relationship, clear communication, and trust.
Here's a challenge: Start by giving some genuine, positive feedback to one team member today. Maybe it's a casual comment about how excellent their latest work was. Next, ask a trusted person for feedback about your leadership style. Questions like "What's something I could improve?" or "Give me an idea for how I could be better this week than last week?" creates an atmosphere that welcomes feedback.
Regularly incorporating feedback in your team culture grows trust, promotes development, and reinforces unity. For more insights on the subject, don't miss today's Healthy Church Staff Podcast episode, where we delve further into building a positive feedback culture.