by Cindy Jansen
Did you know that most people, without feedback, think they are doing better than they actually are?
There was a leader I was working with recently who shared that he was nervous about what his team would say if he asked, “How am I doing?” So, he didn’t ask because he would rather not know, then know the real truth.
The cliché doesn’t apply here—ignorance is not bliss.
When was the last time you asked your team, “How am I doing as a leader?” I’m guessing that if you and I are sitting and having coffee together, you may pause for a second and say, “It’s been a while.” If not, “I’ve never thought about it.”
Feedback is critical to your success as a leader. And it’s crucial to your ministry. And if you don’t ask, specifically for feedback, most people won’t naturally give it to their leaders.
Think about it.
How likely are you to give unsolicited crucial feedback to your leader about how he or she leads? And especially for some of us, thinking about giving feedback to our leaders in the church makes us flinch.
So, now that we know most people won’t naturally give unsolicited feedback, what must we do as leaders?
You got it. We need to ask for it.
It could be as simple as saying to your team or in a one-on-one conversation, “I’m trying to be a better (fill in the blank) listener, what are one or two suggestions you have for me to do that?”
It is better to ask for future-oriented solutions, rather than past interactions.
And don’t be surprised if you don’t get any feedback right away. It may take months for your team to start speaking up. You need to keep asking for feedback before your team starts to believe that you really want to know. And then you will start getting to the good stuff.
And when you do start to get feedback, just answer with two words….
“Thank you.”
Join us next time as we will explore the giving side of feedback.
About the Author
Email: [email protected]
Cindy Jansen is a leadership facilitator and coach with a firm in Brookfield, WI. Working solely with leaders at all levels, Cindy helps them build their skills and impact the lives of the people whom they serve. Prior to working solely in leadership development, she worked in the field of human resources for 18 years.
Raised in the WELS, Cindy attended Lutheran schooling through 12th grade. She graduated from UW-Whitewater with a degree in sociology, and then continued to Cardinal Stritch University, where she received her Masters of Business Administration. As an active member of Christ Lutheran in Big Bend, Wisconsin, Cindy is involved in her church, school and Personal Member Ministry team. Cindy lives in Mukwonago with her husband, Travis and children: Colton, Evangeline and Boyd.
Faith Unleashed and Cindy have partnered to deliver customized Christian leadership training. Cindy recognizes that her passion and leadership knowledge can be leveraged for the benefit of God’s kingdom, and more specifically for leaders in the local church. She is committed to providing in-person, online and recorded leadership training as well as individual and team leadership coaching.