360 Feedback Assessments That Help Leaders Grow
Leaders don't always see themselves the way others do. A 360 assessment gives you honest, constructive feedback from the people who work with you, so you can understand your strengths, identify blind spots, and become the leader your team needs.
Why Leaders Need 360 Feedback
Leadership is hard. You're making decisions, managing people, driving results, and navigating organizational politics. And most of the time, you're doing it without a clear picture of how you're actually perceived.
Your direct reports might not tell you when your communication style isn't landing. Your peers might not mention that you come across as unapproachable in meetings. Your supervisor might not give you feedback on the leadership skills you need to develop for the next level.
So you keep leading the way you've always led, without knowing what's working and what's not.
A 360 assessment gathers confidential feedback from the people who work with you every day (your direct reports, peers, supervisor, and sometimes external stakeholders). It shows you how others perceive your leadership skills, communication style, and impact.
It's not about criticism. It's about awareness.
When you understand how you're perceived, you can make intentional choices about how you lead. You can lean into your strengths, address your blind spots, and grow into the leader your team needs.
What Is 360 Feedback?
A 360 feedback assessment is a multi-rater evaluation that collects confidential feedback from everyone who works with you.
Instead of just getting feedback from your supervisor (which is what happens in a traditional performance review), you get feedback from:
Your direct reports (the people you manage)
Your peers (colleagues at your level)
Your supervisor (your manager)
External stakeholders (clients, partners, board members)
Yourself (your own self-assessment)
All feedback is confidential and anonymous (except for your supervisor's feedback, which is typically identified). The goal is to get honest, constructive input from multiple perspectives so you can see the full picture of your leadership.
What Does a 360 Assessment Measure?
A 360 assessment evaluates your leadership competencies across multiple dimensions. The specific competencies vary depending on the assessment tool we use, but they typically include:
Communication
Decision-making
Strategic thinking
Delegation
Conflict resolution
Emotional intelligence
Accountability
Collaboration
Adaptability
Vision and direction
Coaching and development
Results orientation
The assessment shows you how you rate yourself on these competencies compared to how others rate you. The gaps between self-perception and others' perceptions are where the real insights live.
How 360 Feedback Works
Discovery Call
Select Raters
Collect Feedback
Analyze Results
Debrief Session
Follow-Up
What Leaders Gain from 360 Feedback
When you complete a 360 assessment, you gain:
Self-awareness: You understand how you're perceived by others
Blind spot identification: You discover gaps between your self-perception and others' perceptions
Strengths confirmation: You learn what you're already doing well (and should keep doing)
Development priorities: You identify the 2-3 areas that will have the biggest impact if you improve them
Actionable feedback: You get specific, constructive input (not vague platitudes)
Increased credibility: Your team sees that you're willing to seek feedback and grow
The goal isn't perfection. The goal is progress.
You're not trying to fix everything at once. You're identifying the 2-3 areas that will make the biggest difference and creating a plan to develop them.
Who Is 360 Feedback For?
360 feedback is most valuable for leaders who:
Want to understand how they're perceived by their team
Are preparing for a promotion or new leadership role
Are experiencing challenges with team dynamics or communication
Want to develop specific leadership competencies
Are committed to continuous improvement and growth
Value honest, constructive feedback (even when it's uncomfortable)
It's especially useful for mid-level to senior leaders who manage teams and need to understand their leadership impact. If you're a new leader, you might benefit more from MBTI training first (to understand your natural communication style) and then do a 360 assessment after you've been in the role for 6-12 months.
360 feedback is not for everyone. It requires a willingness to hear difficult feedback and a commitment to act on it. If you're not ready for that, it's not the right time.
Why Work With Me
Certified 360 Administrator
I'm trained and certified to administer 360 feedback assessments. I know how to select the right tool, design the right questions, and facilitate the process in a way that feels safe and constructive.
I Listen First
Before we start the 360 process, we talk. I want to understand your leadership challenges, your goals, and what you're hoping to learn. The assessment is tailored to your needs, not a generic template.
Confidential and Non-Judgmental
All feedback is confidential. I'm not here to judge you or tell you you're doing it wrong. I'm here to help you see yourself more clearly and create a plan to grow.
Having reported directly to Kathy in event planning, I saw firsthand how her leadership and organization transformed complex projects into seamless, successful events. She united multiple departments with clear communication and a shared vision, ensuring every detail exceeded expectations. Kathy’s ability to stay on budget while delivering outstanding results makes her an asset to any team.
The Research Behind 360 Feedback
360 feedback is not a feel good exercise. Decades of research show that leaders who participate in multi rater feedback become more effective, increase their self awareness and emotional intelligence, build stronger relationships with their teams, and are more likely to be promoted into senior leadership roles.
Studies consistently show an average improvement of ten to fifteen percent in overall leadership effectiveness for those who actively implement insights from their 360 feedback results.
How long does a 360 assessment take?
The entire process takes 4-6 weeks from start to finish. Raters typically spend 15-20 minutes completing the assessment. The debrief session is 90 minutes.
Is the feedback anonymous?
Yes, all feedback is confidential and anonymous (except for your supervisor's feedback, which is typically identified). Raters are grouped by category (direct reports, peers, etc.) to protect anonymity.
What if I get negative feedback?
Negative feedback is actually valuable feedback. It shows you where you have blind spots and where you can improve. The goal isn't to feel good, it's to grow. I'll help you interpret the feedback constructively and create a plan to address it.
How many raters do I need?
You need at least 3-5 raters per category (direct reports, peers, etc.) to ensure anonymity. The more raters you have, the more reliable the data.
Can my employer see my results?
Not unless you choose to share them. Your 360 results belong to you. If your employer is sponsoring the assessment, we'll discuss what (if anything) you want to share with them.
What happens after the debrief session?
We create a development plan with 2-3 specific goals based on your feedback. I'll check in with you 30-60 days later to see how you're progressing and answer any questions.
How much does a 360 assessment cost?
It depends on the assessment tool we use and the number of raters. Most 360 assessments range from $1,500 to $3,000. We'll discuss pricing during the discovery call.
Can I do a 360 assessment if I'm a new leader?
You can, but it's often more valuable to wait 6-12 months so your team has had time to work with you and form opinions about your leadership style. If you're brand new, MBTI training might be a better starting point.
What if I don't agree with the feedback?
That's normal. Sometimes feedback doesn't match your self-perception. The goal isn't to agree with everything, it's to understand how you're perceived and decide what (if anything) you want to change. We'll talk through any feedback that surprises or concerns you.
Ready to Gain Clarity on Your Leadership?
Let's talk about whether a 360 assessment is right for you.
Book a 30-minute discovery call and we'll discuss your leadership goals, your challenges, and how 360 feedback can help.
ALC People Solutions
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ALC People Solutions - Denver, CO
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