What happens when leaders reject feedback?
Feedback: information about a person's performance which is used as a basis for improvement.
One of the biggest problems in leadership is the distance that organizations create between the executive team and staff. This type of structure makes feedback difficult. Without feedback, leaders can become selfish and live a life of deceit by recruiting staff that become their puppets. They begin to view themselves in a way that doesn’t reflect the reality of the team. Feedback allows leaders to see what they can’t or don’t want to see.
An organization in the US had a key leader who created internal processes and strategic decisions to protect himself from receiving any real feedback. He also established lines of authority to end conversations when feedback about him would come to light. It wasn’t that he was a bad person with ill intent. He was a young leader who hadn’t been trained to receive honest and clear criticism. He was bogged down by his own ego. As a result, the leader established an invisible line and made sure they didn’t cross it.
Christ-Centered leadership is full of honest feedback. It does not mean we will lead like Jesus, it means we will be led by Jesus. This is a huge difference when it applies to our lives as leaders. We can’t lead like Jesus, but we can lead by learning what Jesus is and has done. The team we work with is key to helping us see how well we are learning from Jesus and what he has done.
They help us improve and avoid repeating stupid mistakes. There is a principle called Four Eyes, most used in the editing field. The idea is to have another person review your work and give you feedback because they will help you see what you couldn’t see on your own.
A Christ-Centered leader desires and creates clear paths for honest feedback.
Do you struggle as a leader to receive feedback? Have you ever worked with a leader that does not accept feedback?
Eduardo Mendes
Founder and President
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