Leadership Best Practice – 360 Review for Leaders in Denver

I am currently working with two leadership teams whose top executives have very different styles and approaches. One is engaging in a 360 Review for Leaders in Denver, the other is not.

Executive One is very open and engaged and is leading her team towards positive change. Quarterly training was her idea and she is embracing it. She regularly asks for coaching and we are in the process of gathering 360 feedback from her team for her. She wants to know where she can improve and is actively working towards leading by example.

Executive Two is reluctantly attending less than half of the quarterly leadership training sessions schedule by his HR Director. He is not on board and his team is doing their best to stay motivated. Although he is getting coaching,  when I asked him if he believed in leadership development he shrugged his shoulders. He says he has an open door policy, but people are afraid to speak their truth. He can’t believe that others feel intimidated to share their thoughts and ideas with him.

Which kind of leader are you?? Take off your blinders!  As a leader you set the tone!

Last month I shared the following definition of leadership from Harvard Business School:

“Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.” 

As a leader, you influence others, either positively or negatively, and therefore you MUST be willing to look at your blind spots.

Tips for taking off the blinders:

1. Solicit feedback informally on a regular basis. If you say you have an “open door” policy, then create time for people to drop by – and show you care about what they have to say.

2. Ask your peers and direct reports what they see you doing well and not doing well. Set the tone for an open environment where feedback is not seen as a threat. In the most effective, engaging work environments, feedback flows freely in all directions.

3. Practice reflective listening – really work on this – many leaders think they are good listeners and are not. People are sharing their ideas – make sure you are hearing them.

4. At least once a year conduct a 360 review to get anonymous feedback from peers, colleagues, direct reports and managers or board of director members if applicable. Work with a coach to review this feedback and make an action plan to keep developing your leadership skills.

5. Do this leadership exercise – pick someone who has made a difference in your life in terms of positive leadership. Write down at least 10 things they did that inspired you. Now look at yourself – how many of these things do you do consistently? Not sure? Ask others. Be an inspiring leader!

If you are interested in conducting a 360 review for Leaders in Denver, please click here for more information or contact us.

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For your growth!

Jeannie Gunter, MA
President, Transformative Training
contact@transformativetraining.com