360 Feedback
A Transformational
Approach
Elva R Ainsworth
360 Feedback
360 Feedback
First published in 2016 by
Panoma Press Ltd
48 St Vincent Drive, St Albans, Herts, AL1 5SJ, UK
www.panomapress.com
Book design and layout by Neil Coe.
Printed on acid-free paper from managed forests.
ISBN 978-1-784522-44-5
The right of Elva R Ainsworth to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any material form (including photocopying or storing in any medium by electronic means and whether or not transiently or incidentally to some other use of this publication) without the written permission of the copyright holder except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Applications for the copyright holders written permission to reproduce any part of this publication should be addressed to the publishers.
This book is available online and in bookstores.
Copyright 2015 Elva R Ainsworth
A Transformational Approach
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to my mother, Dr Marion S Ainsworth, who
passed away exactly a year before writing started always interested and
for ever enquiring, she inspired us all.
360 Feedback
CLIENT FEEDBACK
I think your insight and deeper dives into the
application of 360 and your learnings are hugely
useful.
The external consultant should also
have this as a must-read.
Helen Hunter, Head of Talent Development, Heathrow
Elvas rich and extensive experience is the best possible
guide through the 360 minefield.
Colin Coombs, Learning and Development Consultant, Tate
This is just the sort of resource that is missing
for HR practitioners.
Very few books take you through the detailed
process to operate a 360 degree, so this is
very useful and accessible.
Anna Petts, Head of OD & Learning,
University of the Arts London
A Transformational Approach
It demonstrates what a powerful transformational
tool 360 can be.
This is a fantastic, practical and inspiring book, which I
think should add a lot to the successful implementation
of transformational 360 processes in organisations.
Liz Bridge, Learning Services Director,
Centre for Customised Executive Development,
Cranfield School of Management
Its a great book and gives a fresh perspective.
Twenty years of experience is evident in every word on
the page. What company wouldnt want that insight!
Insights into discovering the data you have and will
gain, and ways to interpret it. This book dares you to be
innovative with how you use and present that data.
Mark McKenzie, Organisation Capability Specialist,
Transport for London
360 Feedback
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thank you first to my dedicated team at Talent Innovations who tirelessly encourage and support my work in this area. Specifically to Karen Smith, Alicen Stenner and Stephanie Warnes who have waited patiently for this book to be written; to research assistant Dr Rafia Faiz and graphic designer Greg Tansey who with Tim Sawers and Jo Ainsworth provided all the graphics.
Special thanks to my brother Mark who agreed to code my first 360 degree feedback instrument way back in 2000 while recovering from a skiing accident, and later joined me to build a serious and successful player in the market.
Finally, thank you to all our clients over the last 20 years who have given me and my team permission to design and deliver 360 projects. It is a total privilege to work with people on their personal 360 degree feedback data and one I do not take lightly.
Thank you.
A Transformational Approach
CONTENTS
Design your 360 degree feedback for pain-free success! |
The power of 360 degree feedback depends on how the individual is left |
How to feedback 360 for a state-shift result (1): The Discovery Method |
How to feedback 360 for a state-shift result (2): The four levels to managing resistance |
360 Feedback
INTRODUCTION
This is all about 360 degree feedback but it is not just about 360. This book is written as a thorough and practical review of all the critical factors you need to consider when you are introducing 360 degree feedback into an organisation. It covers how to position it, how to design the instrument and the report, how to deliver 360 data so it works and how to unpick the emotional reactions you may get from it. From over ten thousand hours of hands-on experience, it gives you examples of how 360 degree feedback can be done and how it can be done just right for your environment. Overall, it describes an approach designed and tested to have a truly transformational impact.
In order to do this it covers how best to approach your role as a change agent in HR (or as a consultant or coach) and ultimately how to change people. This thinking has emerged from a commitment to deliver 360 degree feedback as an effective developmental intervention but naturally also applies to other types of intervention, so you may discover a broader application of the key ideas and concepts. They have been discovered through dedicated experience of almost 30 years of operating in what is a deeply resistant culture here in the UK. A taste of the USA, which has a more self-expressive environment, demonstrated how resistance itself was significant which then led to a journey of discovery to work out how on earth HR can truly influence in these conditions. Hopefully you will see that it is possible to make a difference. It may take huge ingenuity and creativity along with a big dose of determination but it is worth it.
There is a whole new way for work to be one where everyone is fully satisfied; where talents are tenderly nurtured and growth is extraordinary; where there is a clarity of purpose and a strong sense of fulfilment; where results are co-created and the organisation is fully integrated into the community. HR has a special place in this future in that, if this were true, HR would be redundant yet at the same time could be wonderfully proud of being at the source of this new way. Hopefully you will see how a well-designed and carefully executed 360 degree feedback survey can help you get there.
CHAPTER 1
Its not your job to change
your managers
All you can change is yourself, but sometimes that
changes everything!
Gary W. Goldstein
(Producer of Pretty Woman)
360 Feedback
It was 1992. I was heading up the corporate HR function at the RAC Motoring Services and I was exasperated! Our newish intern was driving us crazy. He was bright and desperately keen to learn but way too eager to help. All my team were complaining as he kept getting in the way. I had tried all our usual tactics asking him to stop, personality profiling, others giving him feedback, even getting irritated with him, but nothing worked. I had heard of this new thing called 360 degree feedback so I tried this (it was an early form, based on a personality profile). Surely we in HR are supposed to be able to change peoples behaviours?
Everyone was delighted to be able to give him full and detailed feedback. He was happy to have some attention and I simply showed him the results. It was clear he saw himself as very caring, supportive and sensitive to feedback and literally everyone else saw him as quite the opposite on these traits. He took it in and went quiet. I acknowledged that I thought this reflected his clear intention to support us all and thanked him for this. I waited and finally he looked up at me and apologised profusely: I will stop trying so hard and start listening.