The Art and Science of 360 Degree Feedback

When it was first published in 1997, The Art and Science of 360-degree Feedback quickly became a bestseller with human resource professionals and line managers. As with the first edition, this thoroughly revised and updated version addresses two fundamental questions: How do I go about selecting the best approach to 360 for my needs? How can I ensure that we get the most out of a 360degree feedback process?

Written by Richard Lepsinger and Anntoinette D. Lucia—two experts in the field—this book offers a comprehensive guide with step-by-step instructions for implementing a successful 360-degree program in the workplace. This new edition has been completely updated and contains data that reflects the most current information on the topic, illustrative new examples, and relevant statistics about who is using 360-degree feedback and where and how it is being applied. This revised edition also contains valuable information about how advances in technology have changed the feedback process and addresses how to apply them to the global and virtual work environments.

As the authors explain, 360-degree feedback is a valuable tool for enhancing the effectiveness of individual managers and leaders. The reporting of all recipients' results in an aggregate report can provide vital data for the organization as a whole. The aggregate report enables organizations or work groups to identify and take advantage of under-utilized personnel strengths to increase productivity, enhance the value of succession planning by providing relevant and useful information on an individual's current performance and potential, and design more effective and targeted coaching and training initiatives.

"The Art and Science of 360 Feedback is a must-read for all managers and human resource professionals. Lepsinger and Lucia offer a clear road map, pragmatic tools, and sage advice for all those concerned about improving human performance. If you're considering making 360 feedback part of your organization's practice — and you can't afford not to — don't embark on that journey until you've consulted this essential resource." --Jim Kouzes, coauthor The Leadership Challenge and Credibility; Chariman and CEO, Tom Peters Group/Learning Systems

"You'd have to be insane to take on 360 feedback without first reading this book. Lepsinger and Lucia have written a comprehensive guide to the process, chock full of practical ideas and real-world examples." --Diane Hessan, Executive Vice President, The Forum Corporation and coauthor of Customer Centered Growth: Five Proven Strategies for Building Competitive Advantage

"Lepsinger and Lucia have written a book that fills an important gap in our field — it addresses the best practices of using 360 feedback and gives the practical how-two's in setting up systems for successfully implementing 360 feedback. Congratulations Rick and Toni; I'll keep recommAnding this book." --Randall P. White, Ph.D., RPW Executive Development Inc.

"In today's business climate, the contract between employee and employer puts career management in the hands of the individual. 360 feedback is an integral part of the information one needs to plan his/her career. Lepsinger and Lucia have captured the critical issues regarding 360 feedback and presented them in an easily digestible and understandable format for HR executives and management." --Maxine Fechter, Vice President, Human Resources, Coach Leatherware

"I've seen 360 feedback change the professional lives of my fellow executives, helping them to realize their potential. I highly recommAnd this feedback mechanism for all professionals." --Bob Silver, Director of Operations, Service and Systems at Paine Webber

"Lepsinger and Lucia clearly explain how to select and implement a multi-source feedback system in an organization. Detailed guidelines and concrete examples from their consulting experiences help readers understand what must be done to avoid the pitfalls and achieve the potential benefits of 360 feedback." --Dr. Gary Yukl, Professor of Management, State University of New York at Albany, and author of Leadership in Organization

"This is a book that is chock full of solid advice for the practitioner, especially for those who are just getting started with 360? feedback — a rich resource." --Ellen Van Velsor, Product Development Research, Center for Creative Leadership, and co-author of Feedback to Managers (Volumes I &II), A Review nd Comparison of Sixteen Multi-rater Feedback Instruments

Praise for The Art and Science of 360? Feedback

"The Art and Science of 360-degree Feedback is a must-read for all managers and human resource professionals. Lepsinger and Lucia offer a clear road map, pragmatic tools, and sage advice for all those concerned about improving human performance. If you're considering making 360? feedback part of your organization's practice—and you can't afford not to—don't embark on that journey until you've consulted this essential resource."

—Jim Kouzes

coauthor. The Leadership Challenge and Credibility

"Rick Lepsinger and Toni Lucia have been instrumental in pioneering and now modernizing the art and science of 360-degree feedback. Their work has helped many organizations and countless senior executives hone their leadership skills. ?This book is a must read for any leader interested in developing a high performance culture by developing their people."

—Mark Miller

president and CEO, New Horizons Learning Centers?

"This book is a great source of practical guidelines on how to design and conduct an effective feedback program for managers. The authors clearly explain how to make the program relevant for the organization, how to resolve typical problems, and how to carry out each step of the feedback process successfully."

—Dr. Gary Yukl

professor of management, University at Albany, State University of New York?

"It is the most comprehensive guide to 360- degree feedback available and I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to get the most out of their 360 investment."

—Lee Bellarmino

vice president, NJM Insurance Group and president and CEO, NJM Bank

"Every Fortune 500 firm is either doing it or thinking about it." — Personnel Psychology "It" is 360 feedback — a method of improving employee effectiveness using input from multiple sources — is revolutionizing the way American corporations are achieving business goals. In this comprehensive handbook, human resource professionals and line managers learn the best ways to gain commitment to the 360 feedback process, choose appropriate implementation methods, administer the process, present feedback, and ensure effective follow-up. Case studies of organizations including The Summit Bank and Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company show 360 feedback in action, helping companies to promote cultural change and achieve their business strategies, improving individual and team performance, and enhancing human resource management systems.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 271-277) and index.

Richard Lepsinger is president of OnPoint Consulting. He is coauthor of three books, including Flexible Leadership: Creating Value by Balancing Multiple Challenges and Choices, The Art and Science of 360? Feedback, first edition, and The Art and Science of Competency Models.

Anntoinette D. Lucia is president of West End Consulting, Inc. She is the coauthor of two books, The Art and Science of 360? Feedback, first edition and The Art &Science of Competency Models.

PREPARING TO USE 360 FEEDBACK.

The Uses of 360 Feedback: A Tool for Strategic Change.

The Most Important Decision You Will Make: Choosing a Method for Collecting the Feedback.

The Most Important Decision You Will Make: Choosing a Method for Collecting the Feedback.

Using Interviews to Augment 360 Feedback.

Creating Champions: Selling the Idea to Others in Your Organization.

IMPLEMENTING A 360 FEEDBACK SYSTEM.

Gathering the Feedback: Tips on Administering the 360 Process.

Holding Up the Mirror: Presenting the Feedback.

Creating Lasting Change: Follow-Up Activities.

Enhancing Performance Management Systems.

Resource A: Examples of 360 Feedback.

Resource B: Checklist for Selecting a Questionarre.