Reading your 360 report (and some of the more detailed personality profile reports) for the first time can feel a little overwhelming. After all, there is a lot of information to process, filter, and organise. The results of leadership 360’s can also create a range of emotional responses. Your brain might even view some of the data or feedback as a threat, as a foe. It is important to be prepared. Remember – it’s just data. You are in charge of the meaning-making process. You are in charge of your response.
Preparing to Receive Your 360 Feedback
Before you read your report for the first time, take a moment to consider these questions:
- What is your leadership purpose?
- What difference do you want to make, as a leader?
- Given what’s going on for you (and your team) right now, what areas of leadership seem most important to focus on?
- How would you like people to describe you, as a leader?
- And what’s important to you about being described in this way?
- How do you want to respond to any feedback that you do not agree with or that causes you internal conflict?
- How do you want to respond to any feedback that is poorly constructed?
Organising Your Thoughts
As you read your report you are likely to have a range of thoughts and emotional responses. This is all valuable data to capture and reflect on. Consider capturing your thoughts and emotions under the following categories:
- Affirmations
- Positive surprises
- Negative surprises
- Areas of strength
- Biggest threats (derailers) to my role, to my leadership purpose, to my career
- Opportunities for development
- Areas of confusion
- Conversations I need to have/questions I need to ask
- Behaviours I need to take action on
- Emotions
- What emotions does this report/feedback raise for me?
- How do I feel about these emotions – is it ok to feel ‘x’?
- What is the purpose of this emotion?
- What would be the most useful response to this emotion?