Giving Feedback When Leaders Fall Short | An Interview with Jon McNaughtan

Jon McNaughtan grew up in Heber City, Utah, and completed a PhD in
higher education with a focus on organizational behavior at the
University of Michigan, a masters degree in educational policy from
Stanford University, and a bachelors degree in communication from
Southern Utah University. Over the last 10 years he has utilized
his educational background and professional experience as a
leadership consultant with aspiring corporate and educational
leaders to identify and cultivate positive practices designed to
expand the capacity organizations and individuals. Jon is an
associate professor and the associate department chair of
Educational Psychology, Leadership, and Counseling at Texas Tech
University. His research focuses on leadership from multiple
perspectives, first on the role and experience senior leaders and
teams have—with an emphasis on how they engage and empower
employees—and then how employees develop a sense of empowerment,
satisfaction, and purpose in their work. His goal is to enhance the
practice of leadership and create spaces where people can be their
best. Jon and his wife Liz live in Lubbock, Texas, with their four
children. He has served in many callings including ward mission
leader, high counselor, scout leader, Primary teacher, Young Men
leader, and is currently the elders quorum president of their ward.
Highlights 03:00 Introduction and background of Jon McNaughton.
05:30 How do we create a culture where people can be their best? We
all need feedback and engagement. The problem is that most people
don’t give feedback and are afraid to give feedback. 08:15 We are
afraid to give our bishop or stake president feedback yet we have
no problem giving our kids' Primary teacher feedback. 09:15 Part of
giving feedback is being vulnerable and asking hard questions.
09:45 How can I provide feedback without complaining or
criticizing? Jon shares two scriptural examples. 14:30 When we give
feedback we make it too personal. Be reflective in your feedback
and don’t take it personal. 15:30 Come with a question instead of
an answer. 16:00 Be direct and ask your leader if they would like
feedback. 17:00 When we give feedback we need to know why we are
giving it. Think about your why. Are our leaders the ones that need
to change or is it us? Is what that leader doing harming others?
20:00 Figuring out your why and the motivation behind giving
feedback to your leader. Write down what the feedback is and what
the goals would be if that person were to take it. Are the goals
about you or about that other person? What is the end goal and what
would change through giving feedback? 22:30 Things to remember when
you want to give feedback. What works really well for us doesn’t
always work well for others. There is not just one way to do things
in the church. Remember that the Lord will consecrate the work that
people do. 27:00 Sometimes complaining or criticizing leads to
change. 28:50 Feedback provides self awareness. 29:30 Advice for
giving and receiving feedback. What am I doing to receive feedback
beyond just having an open door policy? Feedback is built on trust
and building relationships with people. Have plenty of one on one
conversions and interviews. 34:15 We need to create a culture of
feedback. Feedback can really create a better experience. 35:20 How
do I balance obedience with feedback? 36:15 1 Nephi 3:27. It was
the Lord that sent Nephi and his brothers into Jerusalem to get the
plates but the brothers were angry with Nephi and Sam and beat
them. Nephi did not send them. 37:00 Jon shares the story in Ether
2 on giving feedback to the Lord. 38:10 The Lord expects us to give
feedback to Him and to our leaders. We are supposed to cry unto
Him. 44:30 What do I do when my feedback isn’t heard? What can
leaders do to make sure that the people in their congregation are
heard? Are you following up with people? 47:40 Jon shares a
personal experience on receiving fee...