A holistic employee review process that involves gathering anonymous views and opinions from colleagues, councillors, and direct reports, which is used to give well-rounded and constructive feedback.
The goal of any 360 programme is organisational improvement. The best 360 initiatives are tightly integrated into well-orchestrated performance management and development planning programmes. Behavioural feedback is an important diagnostic stage in a meaningful development process.
What is the 360 degree feedback programme?
The 360-degree feedback for senior leaders is a holistic employee review process. It involves gathering anonymous views and opinions from colleagues, councillors, and direct reports, which is used to give well-rounded and constructive feedback.
360 feedback benchmarks individuals' perceptions of their skills and behaviours against the perceptions of a selection of colleagues, members and external partners. Surveys are confidential to the individual and conducted on an online platform. With supported feedback from the LGA we are able to the work with chief executives and senior leaders/managers to assess the impact and development opportunities when aligned to the assessment process.
What are the benefits to the 360 degree feedback programme?
The 360 degree feedback model brings a wealth of benefits to organisations including:
- measuring otherwise difficult to quantify factors like team work, communication skills, and leadership
- give colleagues and teams new potential areas for development
- improve working relationships with stakeholders at all levels
- allows colleagues to see things differently and address potential blind spots
- improve self-awareness and encourage better behaviours and demonstration of dealing with difficult situations in an open and honest way.
Recent endorsements from Steve Grimond, Chief Executive, and Sharon McKenzie, Head of Human Resources at Fife Council
“I am happy to endorse the development by the LGA of an online tool in support of the Appraisal process for chief executives. We found that the tool added real value through structured 360 feedback against a set of clearly defined competencies for chief executives. The option to include a wide stakeholder group created a depth of feedback that enriched and enhanced the appraisal discussion with the Leaders of the Council and ultimately the formation of the agreed outcomes. I would be happy to recommend the tool and to use it again.”
Steve Grimmond, Chief Executive, Fife Council
“For a number of years we have been keen to find a way to add structure and rigour to the chief executive’s appraisal process. The tool produced by LGA is complimentary to what we already have in place and has really added value to the overall process. The tool was easy to use and was well supported through its back office administrative system. Whilst 360 feedback is only one part of the process, the availability of a tool such as this really adds value through the introduction of independent feedback and we would intend to use the tool in future years. Report was clear, easy to follow and offered real insight around strengths and successes and areas of potential development.”
Sharon McKenzie, Head of Human Resources, Fife Council
The 360 degree model in practice
The model involves the senior leader choosing a combination of colleagues, councillors, customers/partner organisations, and/or managers to offer feedback through an online questionnaire. The senior leader participating in the 360 degree feedback model will complete a self-assessment form, prior to any feedback is revealed, which forms part of the wider report. The 360 degree feedback model is completely anonymous, which supports in allowing participants being completely honest in their response.
This opportunity enables individuals to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and councils an understanding of their staff.
The LGA will work with you to identify how 360 feedback can be the most impactful in your council and will identify which approach such as by service or top teams is the most appropriate.
The LGA has already successfully delivered the 360 degree feedback model to councils including:
- Tunbridge Wells Council
- Cornwall Council
- Redbridge Council
- Wakefield Council.
Further information
For further information please do get in contact with [email protected] or email [email protected]