or Wake Up and Smell the Feedback

By Alan Brandis, Ph.D.

One of the latest innovations in corporate life is the "360-degree evaluation." Instead of a yearly evaluation written mainly by an employee's direct supervisor, feedback about a particular employee is gathered from those in positions above, below and at the employee's level in the organizational chart. The information is summarized and given to the employee, in order to help him understand how his superiors, subordinates and co-workers perceive him and his work style.

This is a step forward from the one-sided evaluation process that it replaces. Because the feedback comes from many sources, it has more credibility than in a traditional evaluation that represents one person's perceptions. It may benefit the employee, who will often identify one or several areas that need improvement, and it may benefit others in the organization who have difficulty dealing with the employee, as it provides an appropriate outlet for their negative feelings.

The most powerful benefits of giving feedback go virtually unrealized, because the entire process allows people within the organization to continue dealing with each other indirectly. Twenty years' experience working with companies and individuals informs me that indirect communication - and non-communication - are the main obstacles to organizational efficiency and high goal achievement.

Feedback Avoidance

As a business consultant and individual coach, one of the main advantages I have is that I am paid to tell the brutal, honest truth - in a way that can be heard and digested. Very few people want to hear the truth, especially if it tarnishes the image they have of themselves. Most of us live in mortal fear that others will disapprove of us, become angry with us, or think badly of us, and our social system of "polite behavior" operates to protect us from each other's negative feelings. It is possible, with commitment and training, to forgo the rules of politeness while remaining respectful of each other, and engage in honest and direct dialogue that benefits everyone - and the bottom line.