A Do-It-Yourself 360 - Feed-forward
Marshall Goldsmith, a leading coach and consultant, observes that most people hate the 360 evaluation process (where a person is rated by boss(es), peers, and subordinates. He notes that
"there is a fundamental
problem with all types of feedback: it focuses on a past, on what has already occurred-not on the infinite variety of
opportunities that can happen in the future.
As such, feedback can be limited and static, as opposed to expansive and
dynamic."
In his book What Got You Here Won't Get You There, Goldsmith describes his feed-forward approach. Here is my adaptation of his creative tool for getting good ideas about how to do your job better.
1. Select 10-15
people who know your work well. These
might be
- Members
of the governing board
- Members
of the group that brought you to the church (if you had that system)
- Friends
you trust
- Staff
2. Tell them you are
trying to improve your work as a pastor and you would value their
suggestions. This could be done either
in person or by email.
3. Make a request: (for example)
How might I be a more effective preacher? Please think about what I most need to hear
and give me two suggestions for improvement. I want you to be very candid in your
suggestions; don't sugar coat your response. Please get your suggestions back to me by next
week at this time.
4. Review the
suggestions. Identify the top two areas
for improvement and two or three actions you might take to improve.
5. Send an email
thanking your respondents for their suggestions and telling them the specific
actions you are taking in response to their feedback.
6. Do what you have
committed yourself to do.
7. In a couple of
months or so, check back with your respondents and ask "Here's what I have been
trying. How am I doing?"
8. Evaluate that
feedback and make adjustments as necessary.
The idea is that people like to help out
someone who genuinely wants to improve their work. They like being consulted. This in itself will cause them to see you
more favorably. You will receive candid
suggestions.
One client asked this question about preaching and found a number of people wanted more stories and simpler sermon organization. He tried it and found that people thought his sermons were a lot better!
Good luck! Enjoy
growing!
If you'd like to discuss this further, please get in touch. I could coach you through the process.