Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:13-19, Matther 21-23, John 21:9-19
A big challenge for many new managers is learning how to give feedback. This isn’t easy to do. If you start off too critical, you’ll quickly have a team that doesn’t want to listen to you. But holding your tongue is even worse, as former General Electric CEO Jack Welch explains: “I’ve come to learn that the worst kind of manager is the one who practices false kindness.”
How do you give feedback that helps people improve? Three scenes between Jesus and Peter offer a model of productive feedback in an ongoing relationship.
Encourage the potential in someone. When Jesus first started working with Peter, Peter was a volatile, impetuous, and unstable man. But Jesus saw something special in Peter, and he encouraged that potential. Jesus praised Peter’s good points by calling him a “rock,” and by laying out a vision of what Peter could become. This set the stage for Peter’s future ministry.
Be timely with negative feedback. Jesus rebuked Peter on the spot when Peter made the mistake of arguing against Jesus’ mission. Jesus then told Peter exactly what he was doing wrong, “setting your mind not on divine things but on human things” (Matthew 16:23). When you see someone you manage veer off course, don’t wait to point it out. Timely criticism is more useful than time delayed feedback, because it gives the person the opportunity to correct course immediately rather than make things worse.
Give the person a way to move forward from failure. Peter failed Jesus three times on the morning of the crucifixion, but when they met again Jesus gave Peter a way forward out of failure. By asking Peter to profess his love three times, Jesus gave Peter a way to process and remedy his mistake. With the instructions to “feed my sheep” (John 21:17) Jesus gave Peter instructions on how he can move forward.
Your team expects you to give them feedback. Make it encouraging, timely, and productive. Within the context of a caring relationship, your feedback will help the people you manage grow. And you’ll grow yourself as a result.
Prayer: God, help me steward the people you’ve given me to manage. Put the right words in my mouth to encourage and grow the people in my care.
Author: Theology of Work Project
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