COMMENTARY: Accepting the Gift of Feedback: Where Real Growth Begins

By Garfield Joseph, MBA

Imagine an orchestra where the musicians play in harmony, each aware of their strengths and areas for improvement, creating a masterpiece. Now, picture the same orchestra without feedback from the conductor, each musician unsure of their role, struggling to find their tune. This is the workplace without 360 feedback.

360 feedback, a process where employees receive performance evaluations from peers, managers, customers, and direct reports, is a transformative tool embraced by multinational corporations yet underutilized by smaller businesses. With its holistic approach, 360 feedback offers insights that traditional performance reviews often miss.

Why 360 Feedback Is Needed

Feedback is a gift—a mirror reflecting both strengths and weaknesses. Without it, employees operate in the dark, unaware of their blind spots and unable to improve. As the saying goes, “When you’re in the picture, you can’t see the frame.”

360 feedback bridges this gap, providing a panoramic view of an individual’s performance. It highlights what employees do well and what they need to work on, enabling them to grow. Leaders and employees alike benefit from this comprehensive evaluation, which can be implemented in small businesses as easily as in large organizations to foster a culture of openness and continuous improvement.

Furthermore, an individual’s degree or intellectual capacity does not automatically make them the best fit for an organization. Behavior, emotional intelligence, and attitude are equally critical. This is why many organizations prioritize hiring for attitude and training for skill. 360 feedback plays a pivotal role in this process by providing insight into an individual’s behavior, emotional intelligence, and ability to collaborate effectively with others.

By encouraging a shared responsibility for feedback, 360 feedback unites individuals across the organization. It fosters a culture where everyone—regardless of role or rank—actively contributes to and benefits from a collective commitment to growth.

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