By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady
The article title was one of the many responses to Bob Brady’s column of March 19, which asked for readers’ thoughts on 360 reviews. The results of his survey show that the practice is relatively common, but isn’t universally perceived as "great."
One hundred and sixty-one readers participated in my recent survey about 360 reviews. About one-third were from midsized companies (100-499 employees), about 44 percent from smaller companies, and 23 percent from larger companies. Two-thirds were from for-profit organizations. Respondents were evenly spread across the United States and represented a variety of industries. Eighty-one percent were in HR positions, and nearly half (47 percent) had used 360 reviews at a current or former workplace.
Perhaps the most interesting answers had to do with how various groups perceive 360 reviews. The "subjects," that is the people being reviewed, were least favorable, and the HR managers who administered the reviews were most positive. The actual figures:
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How do various groups perceive the 360-review process?
|
|
Very |
Modestly |
Neither |
Modestly |
A positive |
N/A |
|
Subjects (managers or supervisor being reviewed) |
11.1% |
19.4% |
12.5% |
31.9% |
25.0% |
0.0% |
|
Employees (rating their bosses) |
8.3% |
13.9% ( |
11.1% |
43.1% |
19.4% |
4.2% |
|
Peers |
6.9% |
9.7% |
13.9% |
43.1% |
18.1% |
8.3% |
|
Managers (rating their subordinates) |
6.9% |
5.6% |
8.3% |
44.4% |
25.0% |
9.7% |
|
HR managers/ad-ministrators |
2.8% |
4.2% |
9.7% |
30.6% |
45.8% |
6.9% |
How HR Manages 360s
Respondents who use 360s created their own programs about 60 percent of the time. Most of the other respondents use a consultant or a vendor.
About 70 percent use their own HR staff to administer 360s, while the rest use consultants (13 percent), on-site assistance from a vendor (12 percent), or remote assistance from a vendor (10 percent).
About half the respondents were unlikely to use 360s in the coming year, and about half were likely or certain to do so.
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Some of the Respondents’ Comments
"I think 360s provide the best all-around evaluation of a person’s performance."
"Seems to me this would be a good method to use for the people you cannot reach in the organization, a last resort type of thing."
"We use Upward Management reviews as opposed to a 360. Staff completes the review for their managers, the results are compiled, and a summary is presented to the manager by me."
"I recommended 360 degree reviews, but this is not an area that managers will even consider at this time. The Staff Survey contained more feedback than they wanted, so a personal review might not be well received."
"If administered correctly, they provide some very useable feedback for employees and managers."
"Have seen positive change with constructive feedback."
"Our Leadership Team really needs a better understanding of the productiveness of their current leadership styles."
I think the last statement is delicately put, but deadly accurate.
Thanks to all who participated in the survey. As always, I welcome your comments at rbrady@blr.com. Or simply reply with the "Comments" button below.