H7 Story: Feedback Helps
FCC's Team Code Maxim Two states: We "praypare" as if souls are at stake, the Word does the work, excellence matters, and feedback helps. Catalyst Coffee Company has taken this maxim to heart as they have created and fostered a culture where excellence matters and feedback helps.
In a recent staff meeting, Catalyst General Manager Nathan Dickerson encouraged his team, "Growth doesn't happen, Catalyst doesn't move forward, and people don't struggle to become who God has made them to be when we skip out on feedback culture. Don't assume "someone else will do it." When we understand this mission is about Christ, we know it is not about us.
Take Paul's approach in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 as an example:
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Of course, we are intentional about giving positive feedback, but encouragement is not limited to saying "nice" things, just like love isn't limited to "supporting people", in worldly terms. Encouragement and love are defined by what spurs one another on towards the Gospel and holiness, through sanctification. This culture of feedback is supportive and constructive and always aimed at our collective growth and mission alignment.
In a recent staff meeting, Catalyst General Manager Nathan Dickerson encouraged his team, "Growth doesn't happen, Catalyst doesn't move forward, and people don't struggle to become who God has made them to be when we skip out on feedback culture. Don't assume "someone else will do it." When we understand this mission is about Christ, we know it is not about us.
Take Paul's approach in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 as an example:
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Of course, we are intentional about giving positive feedback, but encouragement is not limited to saying "nice" things, just like love isn't limited to "supporting people", in worldly terms. Encouragement and love are defined by what spurs one another on towards the Gospel and holiness, through sanctification. This culture of feedback is supportive and constructive and always aimed at our collective growth and mission alignment.
Melody Bowlin, a Catalyst Employee for the past three years, shared her personal growth due to feedback.
"Our feedback culture has impacted me significantly in that:
When I came to Catalyst, I had 0 communication skills. I was passive, didn't know how to receive feedback or criticism, was easily hurt and emotional, and didn't understand how conflict could be good.
Avoiding conflict had lots of consequences: I would see someone doing something incorrectly, and I would fix it after they left, or I would tell people they were doing great without ever telling them anything they could do better, or I would put my feelings and my comfort over the mission of Catalyst. I would be "nice" so that there would be no conflict (which is fear), and people would like me (which is pride). Due to fear and pride, I lost many opportunities to share the Gospel or invite people to church.
Nathan, my trainer three years ago, has a very different personality than me. He'll tell you what you're doing wrong all the time! He wasn't afraid to have conflict with me (and other employees to help us grow). He always expected (still does) hard work and excellence. He always expects you to put Catalyst's mission over your comfort levels and feelings.
"Our feedback culture has impacted me significantly in that:
When I came to Catalyst, I had 0 communication skills. I was passive, didn't know how to receive feedback or criticism, was easily hurt and emotional, and didn't understand how conflict could be good.
Avoiding conflict had lots of consequences: I would see someone doing something incorrectly, and I would fix it after they left, or I would tell people they were doing great without ever telling them anything they could do better, or I would put my feelings and my comfort over the mission of Catalyst. I would be "nice" so that there would be no conflict (which is fear), and people would like me (which is pride). Due to fear and pride, I lost many opportunities to share the Gospel or invite people to church.
Nathan, my trainer three years ago, has a very different personality than me. He'll tell you what you're doing wrong all the time! He wasn't afraid to have conflict with me (and other employees to help us grow). He always expected (still does) hard work and excellence. He always expects you to put Catalyst's mission over your comfort levels and feelings.
Working at Catalyst led me to see, through many conflicts with Nathan and after many hurt feelings and some unhealthy conflict (on my part), that there is freedom in feedback/healthy conflict/communication! I would bottle everything inside to avoid conflict or people disliking me. I realized that having those hard conversations with people was good for me and good for our relationship. Telling people the truth and where they can improve is not mean but kind and loving as it helps them to grow and become better (as it did me) and helps our shop run like a machine! Over the years, I came to respect Nathan and the way he leads Catalyst towards Christ.
Matthew 16:24-26, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
As a team, we are learning to deny ourselves, follow Christ, and live out Catalyst's mission of "Producing Goodness, Promoting Others."
Matthew 16:24-26, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
As a team, we are learning to deny ourselves, follow Christ, and live out Catalyst's mission of "Producing Goodness, Promoting Others."
