What is 360 feedback?

360 feedback provides information on an individual from a number of colleagues, mangers, team members and customers. It gives managers and individuals better information about how those around them experience their leadership, skills, performance, and working relationships. Normally, eight to 10 people fill in questionnaires describing their experience of the  individual's style. 

 

Why do 360 feedback?

 

Leadership development begins with self awareness, 360‘s provide managers with new and often pertinent information about competencies and how others see them. 360’s are also provide valuable input into talent program initiatives, for example coaching, training, leadership development, appraisal, etc.

Today organisations are more matrix than hierarchical, managers often have multiple lines of reporting and there is much more team-based working, so feedback from just one manager is no longer sufficient. There are often closer working relationships with other stakeholders, for example clients, customers, and suppliers, who can add a different and valuable perspective.

 

Does it work?

Research on 360 feedback shows a consistent improvement in skills and performance. In our opinion the focus of a 360 for middle managers should be identifying strengths and leadership competencies because there is a proven link between improved leadership performance and business profitability.

 

If 360 feedback is to make a difference, it is important to ensure that:

The questions asked are short, clear and relevant to the leadership competencies the company has selected as strategic.  

The respondents are credible to the recipient. 

Everybody gets some critical feedback. Research suggests that mild praise raises self-esteem, but produces no change, except to encourage existing behaviour.

 

Done well, 360 feedback challenges the recipient's perceptions of their impact on others, and provides the impetus for change. 

Our senior consultants work with you to select the 360 solution that matches your needs most closely.  Our breadth of experience and close partnerships with leading 360 providers enable us to help support your company’s ultimate goal in providing managers with this level of feedback.