He's won 42 events on the PGA tour,three Master's titles, five major championships, a PGA Championship and an Open Championship, and while we're at it, 700 weeks and counting in the top-10 of the World Golf Rankings. With credentials of that caliber, Phil Mickelson must certainly be at the top of his game, leading and guiding his own development. Unbeknownst to many, even Mickelson has a coach and mentor --- sometimes more than one.
A true professional knows that he or she can never rest on his laurels. Perspective is everything, otherwise growth hits a dead end. And Mickelson knows that seeking ideas and a fresh pair of eyes and ears is not showing weakness. Rather, it's an essential part of his development.
Who are you listening to? When's the last time you asked others for feedback? Sometimes it takes a gut-check to put away the ego and search for much needed perspective.
The Self-Sufficiency Myth
How many times have you found yourself saying, “No one else understands production or it's technicalities, so there's no need to ask for advice and help from others.” It's natural to feel a sense of responsibility --- the self-talk which says, “I can do this on my own and coach myself.”
What if we developed a simple, but focused survey of sorts to gather feedback from those attending our worship services?
That thinking may get us to a certain point, but like any true professional, we must realize we are not self-sufficient. It's time to strip away the façade and realize we need an outside perspective --- one that will give us a new way to think, see, and grow in our personal and professional roles.
Let's get one thing out of the way first: churches are not Fortune 500 companies and should not be generically lumped into the same category as corporate America. But there's one facet of their operation that is worth exploring --- one that dispels this self-reliance myth.
Solicitation is Warranted
When corporations develop new consumer products, they ask for feedback, identifying issues, soliciting features consumers would want, ease of use, first impressions, and the entire gamut of the user experience. This is critical feedback from a diverse collection of voices. Churches should do the same. What if we developed a simple, but focused survey of sorts to gather feedback from those attending our worship services? Questions could include:
What, if anything, is distracting during our worship services for you?
Is the atmosphere during the service comfortable and engaging? Why or why not?
Production-centric questions could be added as well, keeping them specific and on topic. Perhaps you can get this into the hands of friends and family or several small-groups. The goal, though, is a candid and focused response. Generic, church-wide comment cards will rarely gather the right feedback. Why? No focus. It's a free-for-all that invites critics to launch into issues with little or no basis.
I you're willing to ask difficult questions, are you prepared to act on the responses? If not, why ask in the first place? It doesn't mean everything must change nor does it mean a complete overhaul is needed. But if certain aspects of our production approach and aesthetic are missing the mark, we'd be wise to take notice and act accordingly.
A Personal Approach
Like Phil Mickelson, who's coaching you as a production leader? Is someone giving you honest feedback, both personally and professionally? Are you seeking new ideas and perspectives on a continual basis? Accountability is a powerful yet elusive tool that's available to anyone. It takes humility to step up to the plate and solicit feedback from a trusted friend or colleague. It takes even more courage and unpretentiousness to accept unsolicited input from a voice in the crowd.
When we care to see our ministry improve, when we strive to see ourselves improve as leaders and practitioners in our field, then we should care when people speak into us and our areas of responsibility. If we pay attention and are willing to continually develop, our contributions will amplify, multiply and resonate for years to come.
