Navigating Change and Improving Our Community Through CFF
Hello, dear readers!
In my previous posts you may have seen me share some thoughts. The responses were heartwarming mostly and some had too much heat (as a result of flying too close to the sun)
But no worries, today, I'm excited to kick off a conversation that's all about constructive feedback – a powerful tool we can use to shape the future of our community.
Firstly, I would like you to take a moment and realize that as volunteers, we are not just an account or a profile on this site. We are the drivers of the community and also its stakeholders (metaphorically). Our voice matters!
And to navigate the community in the right direction it's also important to share our voice in a constructive way.
So, what is a constructive feedback?
It's the art of sharing your thoughts, suggestions, or concerns in a way that uplifts the conversation and helps us evolve as a community. Just like a navigator helps a ship chart its course, your insights and observations can steer us in the right direction. Constructive feedback isn't about criticizing or finding fault; it's about building bridges. By offering constructive feedback, you become an active participant in shaping the vibrant mural of 7cups.
Pros:
Empowering Progress: Constructive feedback acts as a catalyst for positive change and growth within the community.
Effective Exchange: Sharing perspectives leads to clearer understanding and improved communication among members.
Community Enrichment: Engaging in constructive discussions enhances the overall quality and spirit of the community.
Cons:
Trimming: Constructive feedback requires to leave out many parts that may feel important to ensure it's received.
Interpretation: Feedback might be interpreted differently by various individuals, leading to potential misunderstandings.
Time and Thought: Engaging in discussions demands an investment of time & energy and thoughtful consideration from all parties involved.
Constructive Feedback Format (CFF)
There was a discrepancy in the format of sharing a constructive feedback, which makes it understandable why people are still largely unaware of it. The problem solving post, the reply to previous thread and PMs had slightly different methods, so I tried to combine them and create a new format as follows:
1) Identify the area that needs to be improved and mention it in one line.
2) Goal: Why do you think it should be changed/improved?
3) Rating: on 1-10 how important do you think it is
4) Positive: What do you already admire/like about it
5) Change Suggestion/Solution: What could be a possible solution?
6) Theory to Practice: Rate on the scale of 1-10 how theoretical/ideal or practical is the suggested solution (low score means completely theoretical and high score means completely doable)
7) Tag someone: who may want see it to apply or benefit from reading it. (If you are sending it through PM then this can be skipped)
Key Note: Tazzie once told me something very important and it was to not get emotionally attached to the idea/suggestion. Which is a very good advice because a suggestion made could be taken in various ways by the receiver. It could be ignored / brutally rejected / turned down politely / implemented but credit not given / heard, implemented and credit given (best case scenario).
And finally, as Glen mentioned that most challenges of the site can fall into one of the two buckets viz
a) Technology and b) Community Management/Activities
I invite everyone to reply with their challenge(s), one from each bucket (if they have) while following the CFF format above.
Here is an example to use the format
1) Identify: There is a lack of consistency and awareness about constructive format
2) Goal: It should be established so people have better understanding of it and contribute constructively
3) Rating: 7
4) Positive: I like that it helps orient the thinking process
5) Change Suggestion/Solution: Standardize a CFF format such as above. Make it known to people through a forum post.
6) Theory to Practice: 10
7) Tag someone: @7cupsCommunity
@blissfulsky8162 @blissfultouch29 @cancun @cloudysummer @confusedxtrapped @ezzycares12000 @fancifulsoul3902 @iwillalwaysreturn @kickan75 @marvellous70 @melonmeloncholy @mytwistedsoul @ouicherie @pandanfe @patienceimpatiens @sociablestrawberry2202 @sunisshiningandsoareyou @thejeninblack @tinywhisper11 @trueconfidant123 @violetnotes @waterfallsofnature36 @whatdoyouwantmetowritehere @yourcaringconfidant
@DonaldDraper
Donald, please don't take this the wrong way, but you already announced you are leaving. Are you possibly re-considering? Also, some of the people you tagged have already de-activated their accounts, I hope temporarily.
Finally, the response to your original post of censoring and editing your original thoughts has a way of dampening enthusiasm for a vibrant discussion as you call for here. Vibrant includes, without fear of censure, and includes lively voices that might take risks and make mistakes, and who now choose to stay silent. Thank you for your effort, however.
As respectfully as possible, I feel that all of this is common sense, written in corporate-speak. Constructive feedback isn’t about criticism, but about building bridges? Just to translate what that means from my perspective (since we are all about valuing different experiences), that’s a complex way of saying, the criticism that was received didn’t feel good to hear. Well, criticism rarely feels good to hear, even when at its most constructive.
Listen…I am a person who likes the truth. I personally (again from my valuable experience lol) do not see the goal of this post about how to communicate with others, especially when OP is leaving. I completely understand the passion, as I am very passionate about my views and what I do in the world. However, this digital paper-trail leading up to some elaborate reasoning of what needs to change or doesn’t need to change at 7cups becomes less and less powerful with each post.
I am not speaking directly to OP here obviously because I do not know OP well but I want to give advice on how to fix this situation. This is what I would recommend doing: write one final post about what needs to change at 7cups. If all of it cannot fit, write 2, but release them at the same time.
In my humble opinion, an opinion from a viewer of whatever this is and a non-7cups-listener, it is not only frustrating to be told by another user (not a staff member) how to communicate on this site/app, but it also seems that credibility is being lost with each post that is not about the supposed problems of 7cups. That’s just my view, coming from someone who doesn’t know OP. Please consider redeeming your credibility and taking back control of this very strange situation.
If I didn’t want to hear about these supposed problems of 7cups, I wouldn’t have commented all of these times. I write this with the intent of helping OP, honestly. Or I guess, building bridges, is another term for it right? It doesn’t matter what you name something or what acronym you’re using. It’s all the same.
Thank you for reading if you did so.
@DonaldDraper gives uncle donald a giant tiny hug ❤❤❤ I'm really gonna miss you.
@DonaldDraper There have been times that I've given feedback on an issue. I tried to be constructive about it but I have to admit that there are times that I'm emotionally invested in what I was giving feedback on. I also have to admit that it's really hard for me to approach higher up people to bring something to their attention. I find it frustrating and disappointing when I can't even get a reply - even if it's just to acknowledge that they got the message. If I didn't feel it was important - I wouldn't have said anything
I completely agree and understand your frustration. You are not alone.*sending beams* ❤️
@DonaldDraper *sending some beams back your way* Stay awesome!
@mytwistedsoul I have been thinking about your response and tried to put it in CFF format. When I did that I find it even more agreeable.
Identify the Area: Enhancing the Feedback and Decision-Making Process
Goal: To create a more inclusive and collaborative environment where feedback is genuinely considered and decisions are made while making people feel inclusive and heard.
Rating: 8
Positive: The 7cups motto of inclusivity of the community
Change Suggestion/Solution: Implement a structured feedback and decision-making process that involves open discussions and active listening, instead of google forms. Create a space or a dashboard where individuals can express their viewpoints and concerns without fearing that decisions have already been predetermined. Create a voting panel so the users feel included in the decision making process.
Theory to Practice: 7.5 - While this solution involves changes in both organizational culture and communication practices, it is practical to establish a framework that encourages open dialogues and fair consideration of diverse opinions.
Tag someone: @GlenM @Heather225 @Hope - This approach could greatly benefit from your expertise in fostering collaboration and inclusive decision-making within teams.
@DonaldDraper
Donald, I would just like to comment that you just did an incredible and amazing thing by taking a peer's comments and turning them into a format that you think might possibly appeal to the people who actually make organizational changes.
I actually wish you could stick around longer, because you have a way of being positive and affirming in a constructive way.
I know you made your decision already, but your energy is needed around here.
You remind me of a professor I once had. I would be trying my most diligently to write a scientific paragraph, and then (she was busy) she would finally get to looking at it, and some way she could transform my thoughts into something powerful, concise, yet getting the point across.
It's actually a unique quality of mentorship. Some are condescending when they mentor, but you, you have the gift of actually teaching, scaffolding as the lingo goes (Vygotsky, anyone?), not just helping (because that term is too generic for what you just did here), but standing next to and with your brilliance bringing out the inner brilliance of another.
@mytwistedsoul, you had such a relevant and important point. When your words and statements that mattered to you were presented, they were not heard, and they were not acted upon. Thank you for caring to bring this to the attention of the organizational people. Maybe now you will be heard. I stand with you too, Soul. Each of our words matters. You matter, and your concerns matter. I hope you will be heard, no matter how it's presented.
I'm watching this discussion develop with bemused curiosity and with love and support for this community,
PatienceImpatiens
@PatienceImpatiens Thank you ❤️ I know that people are busy and that many of the people here are volunteering their time. I know time is valuable and I try not to waste anyone's time but it only takes a few moments to acknowledge someone's thoughts and concerns - even if it's just to say that there's nothing they can do. Not saying anything just makes people feel that they shouldn't have bothered or that it wasn't in their place to say something.
@DonaldDraper Thank you for giving what I said more thought and using it in your suggested format. I have to admit seeing it written out like this is amazing!
@mytwistedsoul
I am still here and I have not forgotten. You also have many allies, some who are hidden or quietly reading and also shaking their heads, or afraid, or intimidated to speak.
@PatienceImpatiens Thank you. People shouldn't be afraid to voice their thoughts and opinions. But I can understand their fear and intimidation. I just wish it didn't have to be that way
@mytwistedsoul
Yes, people should not be afraid, but also there are some people who should pay better attention as well.
I also don't think feedback should have to be framed any particular way. I think it should be okay for people to say things using their own words and in their own way, as best as they can. This is my opinion. The more bureaucratic the language gets, the more it strays from our original, unique, and may I say, wild and beautiful voices.
Kindly, Patience
@DonaldDraper
Responding to one part here: "Tazzie once told me something very important and it was to not get emotionally attached to the idea/suggestion."
I'm a fan of soccer, and one thing that was taught to me when I learned to play was "don't be married to your pass." In other words, when passing the ball, you have to then continue the run and look at the whole field, change direction if needed, become offensive instead of defensive. The game is changing every instant and you have to be in position to receive a pass or help a teammate when it's needed. There's a kind of dance involved. And, it's a process.
Donald, since tomorrow is your last day, unless you change your mind, is there anything else meaningful you would like to pass along? I'm curious, because it seems you would like to share something, but I'm still wondering what it is.
Thanks for giving people water all those years. Thanks for being you. I do hope you come back. There are many here who are quiet observers. They have given as much as they could, and they have received either what they needed, or they have moved onto other things in their lives.
In any case, I wish you all the best, wherever you roam!
You never know, sometime I might meet you in a grocery store, or on a plane. And, I would not even know it's you.
Kindly,
Patience
