Читать книгу Career Management - Carolyn Boyes - Страница 10

A 360-degree report is a tool used in business whereby an employee gets feedback on their performance from a variety of colleagues and clients, ranging from their boss to people below them. It is called a 360 because it gives a full range of views and a rounded sense of your performance and strengths and skills.

You don’t have to wait until your company offers you this opportunity. Carry out your own informal 360 to understand how other people see you in a work situation. It’s easy to do, and you can do it whether you are currently working or not.

one minute wonder A very effective question to set people thinking on your behalf is, “If there is one thing I could do to improve my chances of progressing my career, what would you advise?”

“A successful life is one lived through understanding and pursuing one’s own path, not chasing after the dreams of others”

Chin-Ning Chu, Business Author

• Pick a handful of people. They should know you well and come into contact with you on a regular basis. Up to ten is enough and ideally more than five.

• Ask for honest opinions. Ask if they would be willing to answer some basic questions for you. The key is that you ask them to be honest and that you stay open and don’t be defensive so that they feel they can say what really needs to be said.

• Keep things objective. A good way to extract objective and honest advice is simply to ask if they have any specific examples of what you do well already as well as any areas you could improve. The more specific they are, the easier you will find it to act on their advice. If you are not clear what they mean, ask them, and again be open. Remember this is feedback, not criticism.

Take the feedback without being defensive and you will become aware of your potential weak areas as well as your strengths.

Ask people who know you well for feedback on your strengths, weaknesses and what you could do to be more effective.