When it is done properly and sensitively, positive or constructive feedback is valued by the majority of people and can be extremely helpful to the company and the individual. However, in spite of the evidence that sustains this argument, people still leave businesses because of the lack of this very feedback, so it could be considered crucial to make sure that your business is able to provide feedback to its employees. To do so is sensible because it enables you to discover the areas in which your employees may need assistance in skills development to in turn increase their productivity.
So, why is 360 degree feedback used? It has been generated from the requirement to provide an increase in frequency and quality of feedback to employees. This is in addition to the annual appraisal where the employee visit's the manager's office to be given a summary of their strengths and weaknesses.
Throughout time it has been the job of the manager to give this feedback and as a result of increasing workloads, the feedback has not always been comprehensive. 360 degree feedback increases the circle of feedback and includes not only the manager's comments, but also peer evaluation, self evaluation and direct reports. What results at the conclusion of this process is a comprehensive report that provides the individual with a comparison between how they perceive their performance and that of their associates. This report will then allow them to make any necessary changes through a targeted improvement plan.
360 degree feedback has a number of benefits: the insight that employees gain regarding their behavioural weaknesses allows them to better manage their careers, working on interpersonal skills and attaining leadership qualifications and their employer reaps the benefits of having a highly skilled and experienced workforce and the associated increased productivity and quality of work.
What are the main components of a successful 360 degree feedback process?
There are six of these.
1. The most senior management must be willing to embrace the process and be supportive of its implementation. As well, employees must obtain the necessary skills to give constructive feedback. The most important factor is that managers have to be willing to implement any skills that they have obtained to give appropriate coaching.
2. All surveys that are given must have a relationship with the mission statement of the company and the skills for which the company is searching and should consider the skills that are needed to obtain both individual and company success.
3. All those involved in the rating process are required to attend a 360 orientation. This is where they will learn that 360 is to be used only as a developmental tool and not for performance appraisal. The confidentiality of responses and the process of surveys is to be stressed, reassuring both the "raters" and those being rated.
4. A questionnaire or survey is completed. The majority of these surveys are completed online with special encryption software that allows for secure data collection.
5. Once the surveys are completed, they are collated in the form of a report and given to the individual. The format of the report should be easily accessible. A group summary report is usually presented to the senior management in which numeric ratings are tallied which reveal strengths and weaknesses within the group. This then provides information that is useful in deciding upon any relevant training activities.
6. Coaching that is considered necessary for improvements is then given to those requiring it. Impartiality is one of the best qualities of a good coach as is their ability to focus on realistic, useful goal setting. It is also appropriate for managers to adopt the role of coach as it will help to cement any skills gained and guarantee accountability.
So, how can this benefit your organisation? It all depends on how much you are willing to put into the process. The degree of change is directly related to the amount of feedback given and to the level of support that is provided. 360 degree feedback can be a very potent tool to engender the feedback required to make those changes in your organisation. - 16747
So, why is 360 degree feedback used? It has been generated from the requirement to provide an increase in frequency and quality of feedback to employees. This is in addition to the annual appraisal where the employee visit's the manager's office to be given a summary of their strengths and weaknesses.
Throughout time it has been the job of the manager to give this feedback and as a result of increasing workloads, the feedback has not always been comprehensive. 360 degree feedback increases the circle of feedback and includes not only the manager's comments, but also peer evaluation, self evaluation and direct reports. What results at the conclusion of this process is a comprehensive report that provides the individual with a comparison between how they perceive their performance and that of their associates. This report will then allow them to make any necessary changes through a targeted improvement plan.
360 degree feedback has a number of benefits: the insight that employees gain regarding their behavioural weaknesses allows them to better manage their careers, working on interpersonal skills and attaining leadership qualifications and their employer reaps the benefits of having a highly skilled and experienced workforce and the associated increased productivity and quality of work.
What are the main components of a successful 360 degree feedback process?
There are six of these.
1. The most senior management must be willing to embrace the process and be supportive of its implementation. As well, employees must obtain the necessary skills to give constructive feedback. The most important factor is that managers have to be willing to implement any skills that they have obtained to give appropriate coaching.
2. All surveys that are given must have a relationship with the mission statement of the company and the skills for which the company is searching and should consider the skills that are needed to obtain both individual and company success.
3. All those involved in the rating process are required to attend a 360 orientation. This is where they will learn that 360 is to be used only as a developmental tool and not for performance appraisal. The confidentiality of responses and the process of surveys is to be stressed, reassuring both the "raters" and those being rated.
4. A questionnaire or survey is completed. The majority of these surveys are completed online with special encryption software that allows for secure data collection.
5. Once the surveys are completed, they are collated in the form of a report and given to the individual. The format of the report should be easily accessible. A group summary report is usually presented to the senior management in which numeric ratings are tallied which reveal strengths and weaknesses within the group. This then provides information that is useful in deciding upon any relevant training activities.
6. Coaching that is considered necessary for improvements is then given to those requiring it. Impartiality is one of the best qualities of a good coach as is their ability to focus on realistic, useful goal setting. It is also appropriate for managers to adopt the role of coach as it will help to cement any skills gained and guarantee accountability.
So, how can this benefit your organisation? It all depends on how much you are willing to put into the process. The degree of change is directly related to the amount of feedback given and to the level of support that is provided. 360 degree feedback can be a very potent tool to engender the feedback required to make those changes in your organisation. - 16747
About the Author:
Theo Benmanson has been developing personnel for that last 15 years. He has written many articles on the topic. Click the links for additional articles on 360 degree feedback. Or visit the website at www.engauge.co.uk.
