The Mindset of An Advisor
Most creatives have a moment in their lives where another Christian creative comes up to them with a single, important question to ask:
“What do you think of my project?”
For some people, this is one of the most exciting moments of their lives. Finally, a chance to provide honest help and support to a brother or sister in Christ! I’ve been waiting so long to be able to give back to the community and church! For some people, it is just as equally terrifying. Ah, no, I have no idea what I’m doing. They are so good at this thing already, I don’t think I can help them. What am I supposed to do?
Regardless of how you feel about the situation, knowing exactly how to give feedback and why it is incredibly important to providing healthy, honest criticism about a fellow creative’s project. It is an key element to building up fellow Christians and working for God’s Kingdom! You might not feel ready — or you might feel a little too ready — but, regardless, the ball is in your court.
Now, first and foremost: you do not have to review a piece of media or creative project if you genuinely feel or know you are underqualified to do so. There is always benefit in stretching beyond your limits, but if something is completely and totally outside your wheelhouse, you can always politely decline. If you are just afraid to give feedback, well, that is probably something you should go to God with and ask Him to lift that fear from your heart.
The most important aspect of giving feedback to a fellow creative is this: have a mindset towards helping them. It’s easy to get caught up in the rush of “I’m so good at [insert creative endeavor here] that people are coming to me with advice!” and forget that the point of giving feedback is not to stoke your own ego or build your own reputation, but to help the creative in front of you get better at their craft. That is what God is using the wisdom He has given you for, not to make you feel good about yourself.
Advice coming from a place of “look how cool I am, giving advice” has the potential to do more harm to the brother or sister in front of you than good. It might be careless, it might not be as diplomatic as it should be, it might just be a little heedless of what the person actually needs advice and help with (”I think you should paint the sky purple.” “Sir, this is a crochet scarf.”). Pay attention to your own mindset, pay attention to the person in front of you, and pay attention to the Holy Spirit. It may be that you want to give one piece of advice, but God wants you to provide another.
Most important to all of this: stay humble, both to God and to the creative who has come to you for advice. Approach the situation with a servant’s heart and the understanding that God has provided this opportunity to better His Kingdom for His glory!
Putting it Into Action
Not everyone has been asked for advice, and that is okay! It may be a factor of age, of creative style, or of a different plan that God has for you. Giving advice is excellent and admirable, but it does not make-or-break the creative!
If you have had people ask you for advice — perhaps even ask to be your mentee! — take a look at your heart posture the next time you talk to them and offer wisdom. Are you humbling yourself before God? Are you viewing yourself not as the know-it-all-expert, but as the guide trying to help a fellow creative build their craft? Are you putting the other person first and foremost with every word you give to them? If so, excellent! If not, take time to pray before you talk to them again. Pray that God will help you see this creative in a different light, that He will help you stay humble when helping them navigate something you are obviously knowledgeable about! Remember: He is the one who has given you the talents and nurtured the skills to get you to this point.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
