WHY 360-DEGREE FEEDBACK?
360-degree feedback provides a safe way for others to provide open and honest feedback across a broad spectrum of leadership competencies and behaviors. It also reduces the emotional and political barriers that people feel when providing feedback face-to-face to a boss or peer.
Additionally, 360-degree feedback:
- Allows leaders to compare their own opinions to those with whom they work
- Is more likely to be accepted because it is coming from many sources
- Opens a dialogue between the participant and his or her manager
- Provides increased self-awareness and motivation for personal development
- Recognizes individuals contributions and great work
- Improves relationships with others and creates an environment of trust and accountability
HOW DOES IT WORK?
In a 360 feedback assessment, the participant (person receiving the feedback) and a group of raters (those providing feedback) answer specific questions about the participant’s performance. Raters are chosen from those with whom the leader works day-to-day and typically include the leader’s boss, direct reports, peers, and other coworkers.
The survey results are aggregated so that no individual scores are shown except for those from the person’s boss. The report is provided to the participant during a coaching session with an internal or external coach who helps them interpret the results and create a personal development action plan.
FEEDBACK IS A GIFT
When others give feedback using a 360-degree assessment, they become involved in the participant’s process of improvement. They invest time, energy, and thought into the feedback they provide.
They are more likely to continue to support the person’s development when they are personally asked to participate, they see that the person acts on their feedback, and the person follows through with them afterward on his or her commitments.
360-DEGREE FEEDBACK IS THE BEGINNING
The 360 assessment process alone will only create self-awareness. Personal development happens when the leader meets with a coach, creates an action plan, shares it with others, and follows up with his or her boss or coach to report on progress.
Development accelerates when the 360 survey is repeated each year to measure improvement and establish an ongoing dialogue with others about personal development.
