Fostering Community through Feedback

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Image by MorningbirdPhoto from Pixabay

Feedback is something that I've thought a lot about during my 4+ years in Toastmasters International. It's one of my favorite aspects of the program, and probably the one that has most motivated me to keep going and keep trying to improve.

More importantly, it may be the strongest element in creating a club culture and community. And when I refer to feedback, I'm not just talking about evaluations. From our first moment stepping in the door as a guest at a Toastmasters meeting, we're receiving feedback, and the club is giving it. Hopefully club members come up to us and welcome us, and indicate that they're glad we've joined. And that is not disingenuous feedback. Toastmasters know that each new member strengthens the club and adds to the culture. New perspectives, new stories, new opportunities for growth as a club -- and maybe even new lessons in what doesn't fit well in the club -- all are to be had when we welcome new members into a club.

The opportunities for feedback are many in Toastmasters. Some local clubs that I've visited hand out item 163, Ballots and Brief Evaluations, so that all members in attendance can give out feedback to speakers and speaking roles. Pathways provides the Feedback and Feedback Badge opportunities which you can use at any time to give feedback to any club member for any reason -- just search for the member's name at the top of the page, then click the Feedback link on their member profile page. Or just go up to the member after the meeting and offer your verbal encouragement or constructive feedback.

How does feedback foster community? It shows that community members are taking an interest in developing others and working toward the common good. It shows that the Toastmasters club is an environment where one can learn and grow and belong. It shows that people are listening. When I visited the corporate club in my area earlier in the year, and I asked all the officers why they were in Toastmasters, I got the most heartfelt answers. People truly formed deep friendships and understanding when they heard so many stories from the others in the club. They may have come to work on leadership or speaking skills, but they were staying because the Toastmasters club really reflected and deepened the family-oriented culture of their company.

I'd like to explore the concept of feedback and club culture further in another post. But first, what are your experiences with the role of feedback in your club or other community?

Comments

  1. Michelle Alba-LimMay 13, 2019 at 10:19 PM

    Excellent points! This blogpost resonates with me. Personally, feedback is what got me into Toastmasters. After refusing to attend a Toastmasters meeting for five years because I didn’t think it was for me, I asked to join on my first visit because of the amazing feedback I heard. I was impressed that people would take pains to listen carefully, praise what speakers did well, and offer suggestions for improvement. That was more than 22 years ago and I’m still with Toastmasters. While I joined for the feedback, I stayed for the friendships that grew out of the feedback. May i share this with my Toastmaster friends all over the world?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TanaMay 14, 2019 at 7:35 AM

      I would love that, Michelle! Thanks so much for reading and commenting.

      Delete

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