You’ve nailed every presentation to the C-Suite. Your team is among the top performers in the organization. You run successful fundraisers for your kids’ after-school clubs. Your friends love you. Your family treasures the time you spend with them.
Then you have a 360° Review.
You think the results will validate your tenacity in getting things done, your ability to build relationships and your strong leadership skills.
You’re a bit shell-shocked when you read your ratings and the comments from the people you chose to provide feedback. How did this happen??
Here’s the thing: the difference between how you see yourself and how others see you can be insignificant or huge. What’s the reality? It depends who you ask.
Why? Perspectives and opinions are based on a person’s unique history, and the beliefs, values, education, experiences, successes and failures. This filter colours what they see and how they react to it. This creates their reality.
So, you can’t change the results of the 360. But you can change the future. How?
First, recognize and acknowledge that you are not the results of the assessment. It’s just a summary of other people’s interpretations of events and actions. It’s about them and how they see you. The comments really have nothing to do with you, personally. You are not what other people think of you.
Then re-read the results and flag the comments you believe to be true and the ones you don’t believe are valid. It’s vital to understand that some responders use the 360 as a way to vent or sabotage, while others may not even be clear on the point of the 360, which is to give a snapshot of where and how a person exhibits leadership qualities – it’s not a report card.
For the comments that you believe to be true, note the areas that you agree need improvement. For the others, think about how people may have misinterpreted your actions, intentions, approach, or speaking style. Where do any of these show up in your personal life, too?
Once you have that list, it’s a matter of making some changes to get the results you want, or finding someone who can suggest what you can do to be seen differently at work, at home and at play. You won’t be changing who you are, just how you do or say things in certain contexts while being true to yourself.
Once you make a change – big or small – you’ll love what happens next.
If you know there is more to life and business but may not know what you want, how to get it, or how easy it can be to overcome your fear of making a change – whether it’s a tweak or a leap – give me a shout.
