What is 360˚ feedback training?
When trying to improve company culture, you can get good results from 360˚ training. This type of training is a means of development based on getting feedback from multiple sources. When you engage in 360˚ training, everyone in the organization will get feedback on their work and how they interact with others from:
- managers or supervisors
- peers or co-workers
- subordinates
- HR staff
- clients/ customers
Here’s how 360˚ feedback training works: Each person is given an assessment to fill out where they can share their views of any said employee’s behaviour and performance. The person being assessed will also do a self-assessment, which is supposed to help them see how others view them compared to how they see themselves. The three main components of the 360˚ feedback training are:
- The assessment (which is described above)
- Feedback- where all the assessments are compiled and then given to the worker in a meeting with HR or manager. This should be done in a calm environment, and the worker should be reminded that the process is not to judge them but instead to help improve their skills.
- Training program- once the worker has gotten the feedback, it is time for them to start working on the areas that need improvement. This might mean training in a particular area or taking courses on a subject such as inclusion and racial sensitivity.
Leaders’ participation in 360˚ feedback training
It is important for leaders to participate in the 360˚ feedback training before they get their staff to do it (especially if this is the first experience). Change starts from the top, so in order to help the organization change, you might need to change first.
Other reasons leaders should participate in the 360˚ feedback training first are:
- It shows solidarity with the staff. Once you’ve done the training, your team will be more comfortable with the process.
- It creates mutual respect between you and your employees, enhancing company culture.
- It can help with business transparency and two-way communication.
Benefits of a 360˚ feedback training program
A 360˚ feedback training program can be very beneficial for any organization. It can help improve company culture to increase self-awareness among workers and management. Besides improved company culture, the 360˚ feedback training program has several other benefits, such as:
- Increased self-awareness. Self-awareness is when an individual understands themselves and how they operate with others. This is important in business as processes are constantly changing, and everyone needs to be able to adapt to these changes. A good example of this is when there is a change in personnel. You want to make sure that you can communicate effectively with your entire staff, so it can be important to understand ways you might be able to improve your communication if needed.
- Understanding strengths and weaknesses. This is part of being self-aware and is at the centre of the 360˚ feedback training. When you do the training, you get direct feedback on your strengths and weaknesses, which is vital for self-improvement. In order to change how we behave and work, we must look at our potentially weaker spots and come up with a plan to change them. The 360˚ training can also help you uncover unknown strengths. This is a great way of knowing what makes you a good leader, and you can use these strengths in difficult situations.
- Builds confidence and boosts morale. By having a better understanding of your strengths, you can boost your confidence. For example, maybe you never knew that you were good at solving problems, but the 360˚ feedback came up with this as one of your strengths. So, the next time you face a problem that needs to be solved, you might approach it with more confidence, which will help solve the problem quicker. The training program can also help boost the morale of the entire staff as it can help employees feel heard.
- Creates a company culture of openness. Having more transparency between management and employees can help increase productivity. When there is open communication between you and your workers, they respect you more and are more willing to work harder. Employees like to know that their employers will be honest with them when changes happen and that they can go to them if problems arise. Since the 360˚ training programs require two-way communication, it can make employees more comfortable with management, improving worker relations.
- Empowers leaders and employees. When the 360˚ feedback training is done, both leaders and employees benefit. The training allows leaders to feel empowered in their ability to run a company that seeks improvement and is adaptable. Companies that are adaptable have a higher likelihood of being successful in the long term, so the 360˚ training can help leaders feel confident in this fact. Employees like to have a voice in the organization, and when they are asked their opinions in the training program, they feel as though they can change things. Making them feel empowered is a great way to boost employee satisfaction which is always a positive for the company.
- Reduces turnover. When employees are unhappy at work, they are more likely to look for a new job. If this happens a lot in an organization, it can indicate issues within the company. However, when you participate in the 360˚ feedback training, you can improve turnover rates. It will allow you and your employees to identify the areas for improvement and reasons why employees might be leaving your company. Then, you can take specific actions to change this dynamic.
- Increases accountability. By participating in the 360˚ feedback training, you can reveal issues that have been persistent in your company. Once you know the issues, you can prioritize and address them directly. This can help with your organization’s transparency, which can help boost employee morale and even affect how the public views your business. Customers are looking for companies to be transparent, so any time you can increase your transparency, you will gain customers’ trust.
- Helps with professional development. When you do the 360 training, you have a clear idea of the areas you and your employees need to improve. This means you can plan what type of professional development you might need to incorporate or start offering to your employees.
- Fosters continuous improvement. The 360˚ feedback training can also give you an idea of what you might want to improve down the line. That said, if you make 360 feedback training a regular practice, you can assess improvements (and areas for improvement) in your and your teams’ skills each time you do the assessment.
- Can change company culture. This has been talked about throughout the article, but the biggest benefit of participating in the 360˚ feedback training is that it allows your company to adapt when needed. Having a company culture of change and transparency can be very beneficial to your organization as it keeps employees happy and increases productivity. When a company culture changes for the better, the entire organization has a positive reaction, and the 360 training program can help facilitate this positive outcome.
The 360˚ feedback training is a great way to make changes that will have a positive impact on your entire organization. Related:
