360-degree feedback is at times a means of ‘getting-back’ at superior

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A collective feedback can be used to measure an individual’s overall performance including for promotion, strengths and areas for further development.  It can be seen as a critical tool to help with an individual’s personal and professional development.

Discussions on what went well and not so well were open and inquiring.  Agreed areas for further development were documented along with goals and objectives for the individual’s action.  The manager in turn was evaluated on objectives, overall performance, and their interest in ensuring the team’s well-being and development.

The greatest way to develop the individual is via feedback.  Through feedback we learn.  Through learning, we have the potential to change our behavior and actions.  It also helps us strengthen, better understand and utilize diversity.

Here, culture seems to impact the feedback process considerably.  In Asia, receiving and giving feedback is sometimes seen as a chore and something that usually finds its way to the bottom of a manager’s to-do-list.  Managers here usually take the middle road and evaluate team members favorably or equally without much discussion.  Unfortunately, this is a disservice to the individuals concerned, the other team members, and the development of future leaders.

Feedback is also usually top-down as the Asian culture is hierarchical.  Respect for elders, which is ingrained since young, often follow us through adulthood.  Questioning a superior or remarking on a situation can sometimes cost on their job or future in the organization.  Hence, a 360-degree feedback is at times a means of ‘getting-back’ at superior.

Organizations are ultimately about a group of individuals who need to work together towards a common goal.  Engagement is a two-way street.  We need to start having more two-way open, real (non-judgmental) and regular conversations with teams.  At the heart of it is the sense of belonging that human beings seek and feedback is the best method to affirm this.

Yoga Nesadurai

Management: Adopting via Feedback

Malaysian Business March 16, 2011