1. 360 degree assessment
Do you know what your management team and organization really think of you as a
leader? Most often, the higher up in an organization you rise, the less likely you are to
receive honest feedback from others. Line supervisors will seldom have an employee tell
them how they really feel about the way they are managed. Managers are as likely to
keep silent about the person to whom they report, especially if they reside in the
executive suite. Good people often even leave organizations because of a management
style that may be perceived as unfair, confusing, demeaning, or demoralizing,
because, "You can't change the boss." Few people want to volunteer to be the messenger
in the case of criticizing the leader.
One of the most effective tools for getting honest feedback on how you are perceived as a
leader is the use of a 360 degree feedback assessment. A 360 degree assessment provides
the opportunity to receive confidential performance feedback from subordinates, team
members, customers, clients, and of course, board members, and your own manager. All
of the participant comments are confidential, with the exception of the person you report
to directly.
The Leadership Practices Inventory is one 360-degree leadership assessment tool that
has been validated by over 20 years of research on hundreds of thousands of leaders
globally. Also known as the LPI 360, this tool is based on Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner's
highly acclaimed Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership. This well-respected
instrument approaches leadership as a measurable, learnable, and teachable set of
behaviors.
The LPI 360 is easily administered online. Individuals being evaluated simply provide
the names and e-mail addresses of the contacts who will be providing input during the
process, and the information with instructions is e-mailed to each. The report generated
will compile all of the data in various categories, with a graphical display and comments,
enabling the leader to compare their own self-assessment to the evaluation of the
respondents.
When 360 degree assessments are used in organizations, team members feel more
involved and accountable for each others success. A well communicated and planned
process improves and strengthens team interactions, and encourages collaboration and
ongoing feedback.
The feedback you receive from a 360 assessment is a gift, and also a road map for where
you need to develop to become a better leader. Used in conjunction with regular
coaching, there is a significant and proven ROI. The 360 assessment is often re-
administered 9 or 12 months later, where the changes can be measured and compared
using the same method.
2. It takes a strong, confident leader to be willing to really take feedback that may not be
positive, .and then do something about it! But the respect that you earn and the results for
the organization are well worth the effort. If you truly want to improve your performance
as a leader in your organization, consider participating in a 360 degree evaluation. You'll
be glad that you did.
http://performanceappraisalebooks.info/ : Over 200 ebooks, templates, forms for
performance appraisal.
