Having reviewed thousands of 360 feedback reports, few things surprise me these days. But recently, I had the privilege of coaching a manager through what can only be described as a one in a million report - an outstanding set of results backed up by powerful written feedback.
This wasn’t a senior executive in a global business. It was a middle manager in a school support organisation who had clearly found the holy grail of leadership: earning deep respect and admiration from every corner of their team.
So, what are they doing differently? What behaviours and mindsets set them apart?
After analysing the results and associated comments, six clear leadership attributes emerged. These can directly inform some of the best 360 feedback questions you might use to assess and develop leadership talent within your own organisation.
Behaviours that show respect and inclusion:
Courage and conviction in leadership:
Creating an uplifting and positive team climate:
Driving progress without losing empathy:
The power of clear, respectful communication:
Going above and beyond-reliably:
These attributes reflect the behaviours that people want in their leaders and that great managers actually demonstrate consistently. While many of these qualities may seem obvious, the key insight is this: how do you make them the norm in your organisation? It starts with asking the right questions.
By designing your 360 process around the best 360 feedback questions, you shine a light on the behaviours that matter most. You create clarity around expectations and give managers real insight into how they are perceived.
If you want to move from average to exceptional leadership, don’t just ask generalised questions. Use your 360 tool to target these proven, high-impact behaviours and watch the difference it makes.
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