Oct 14, 2008

Feedback for the Boss From All SidesBy Paul A. BrownNYTimes.com

The theory behind 360-degree feedback is simple: By having supervisors, subordinates, co-workers and even customers comment about their performance, bosses can learn what they are doing effectively, and what needs improving.

If the theory is right, then having employees give you feedback should make you a better boss.

What follows are some tips that could make that theory a reality:

HOW TO TAKE IT “We’re all a little sensitive when it comes to receiving feedback, particularly when it’s not all positive, and even more so when the feedback provider is relatively unskilled,” writes Jan B. King on the work911.com Web site.

She suggests the following three ideas to make it less painful:

• Listen. Don’t get defensive, and interrupt only to ask for clarification, not to rebut. The idea is to take in the comments being made.
• Think. After you have received the feedback, “immediately write down all you can remember,” using exact quotes if possible. “Give yourself at least two days to consider what you have heard.”
• “Recognize the courage it took to give you the feedback and consider it a sincere gift intended to help you grow. Thank the giver for feedback.”

Then, if you think the feedback made sense, we would add that you should change your behavior.

EMPLOYEES LIKE IT Employees are in favor of the idea of giving the boss feedback, providing, of course, that there are a) no repercussions and b) the boss actually acts on it.

As a member of Fast Company’s editorial staff writes on the magazine’s blog, it would be wonderful if all bosses could be secure enough to invite criticism. “And wouldn’t this tool be a real eye-opener for the boss’s boss, who may have no idea that a certain manager is actually a tyrant whose method of ‘leading’ is ultimately keeping the company from being all it can be?”

It is interesting to note that the posting was not signed. One of the first rules of journalism is that you never want to get an editor mad at you.

Read complete article.