360 Evaluation

360 Degrees

The 360 degree evaluation is making a comeback in the leadership development circles. The concepts is fairly simple; you send comprehensive surveys to your boss, peers, direct reports, friends, and family and ask them to give you honest feedback for the purpose of self-improvement and professional development. Done right, the evaluations are returned to a trained consultant who distills the results and packages the feedback in a way that will be insightful, constructive, and actionable. A couple of weeks ago I met with my consultant to get feedback from my latest 360. I have to admit it was pretty painful to have my weaknesses and shortcomings laid out so blatantly before me. We all know we have them but we assume we've become proficient at covering them up or compensating for them. Not so much I guess. Anyway, after licking my wounds a while, I'm now ready to roll up my sleeves and do what it takes to become a better leader!

I was intrigued by the process of the 360 evaluation. As helpful as it was to get feedback from those closest to me; their opinions and suggestions are limited to their observations of my behavior and actions. What I REALLY need feedback on is my heart, thought and motives. I was reminded of the prayers of Job and David and of God's faithfulness to "evaluate" us when we earnestly ask. Check out these verses:

Job 31:6 - "Let Him weigh me with accurate scales, and let God know my integrity."
Psalm 26:2 - "Examine me, O LORD, and try me; test my mind and my heart."
Psalm 139:23,24 - "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way."
(New American Standard Bible)

So, if we are sincere about becoming better leaders, God offers the ULTIMATE evaluation. Just make sure you are prepared for the feedback!