360-degree performance reviews

Harvard Business Online has this: “The Ratings Game: Retooling 360s for Better Performance” (full article available for $4.00)

After earning its stripes in professional development, the 360-degree feedback tool has insinuated itself into the performance appraisal processes at an increasing number of companies. But the colleague-based feedback that has made 360s such a favored tool in development can be its Achilles’ heel in performance reviews: Most people possess a deep ambivalence about wielding power over a peer’s livelihood. Read about how people are reshaping the tool so that it not only encourages direct and honest feedback in annual reviews, but also fits the particular needs and priorities of a broad range of organizations. ”

See this related previous post in this blawg.