What jumps into your mind when you hear “FB?”
I’m guessing your picturing yourself scrolling through facebook and reading all the updates on your timeline. Maybe the famous little blue icon popped into your brain and you remembered that picture or video you were going to share with your friends…
Wait, you can go share it after reading this blog…
which is not about Facebook, I might add.
FB stands for this new way of communicating that we on the race call… (drum roll, please….)
Feedback.
Some people thrive on it. Some people struggle with it.
And probably everyone who’s practiced it, at one time or another, has squirmed uncomfortably at the thought of giving or receiving said feedback.
I know I have.
(But I’m getting ahead of myself…)
Feedback (n.): a period of time every day that a team has the opportunity to call each other higher into who God has created them to be; a time to reflect back on the day and share observations of the good in others, but also ways they can improve, becoming more like Christ and walking in the fullness of their identity.
There are two kinds of feedback, but both of them ARE positive!! 🙂
Growing feedback: observations shared in ways that a person can improve—whether that’s in actions, mindset, words spoken or sense of identity. (method recommended: the oreo!)
Encouraging feedback: observations shared that affirm the good in another person—again, whether that’s actions, mindset, words spoken, or identity.
Ok. So as already mentioned, feedback happens almost every day. Myself and my teammates get together, we pray, and then the session of feedback begins.
Here are some examples of feedback I’ve received from my team: ??
“Jess, I really appreciate the way you interact with children. You have such compassion and you interact so well with them. I believe God has gifted you in this area. Keep it up!” (encouraging feedback)
“Jess, I noticed that lately you have seemed tense and can come across strongly in the way you speak. I encourage you to take this to the Lord and ask Him how He wants you to convey the thoughts you want to share with others.” (growing feedback)
“Jess, I have seen so much growth in your sense of identity this year. The other day when you were in charge of team time, you seemed very concerned if everyone was ok with the activity you chose. I encourage you to be confident and take ownership of your team times because you have good, fun ideas to offer to the team.” (growing feedback with the oreo effect)
And then, no matter what kind of feedback I just received, I say, “Thank you.” Not, “Thanks.”
“Thank you.”
Now this all may sound very inspirational, but feedback can really hit hard sometimes…
My pride gets a good punch to the face. 🙂
Sometimes I know it’s coming.
Sometimes I don’t.
That’s one of the reasons I didn’t like feedback. Not at first.
But now…
I don’t want feedback to consist of a few minutes every day…I want it to be a lifestyle that I live 24/7.
…because I know and have experienced there’s so much value in it.
Stay tuned for part 2! 🙂
