LOOKING IN FROM OUTSIDE / 171Getting answers
The only way to find out what other
people think of you is to ask. Many
international companies use a process
called 360-degree feedback, which is a
formal means of eliciting comment from
colleagues, staff, and bosses. It is often
used to develop senior management
teams, but you can carry out a similar
process yourself on a smaller scale.Approach people who see you in different
roles—perhaps your business partner,
work colleagues at the same level of
management, your immediate boss,
some of your suppliers and clients, and
a couple of friends. Think of the best way
to ask the questions: a questionnaire has
the advantage of ensuring consistency,
while structured face-to-face interviews
give respondents the opportunity to
elaborate, but may also inhibit honest
responses. When you are drafting a
questionnaire, keep it short and simple,
and concentrate on specific questions
that you really want answered, such as:- How confident do I appear to you?
- Am I approachable?
- Do I communicate clearly?
Using feedback
The feedback process won’t give you a
definitive view of what you are like in the
eyes of others, but it is certain to produce
some valuable insights. It’s too easy to
focus on criticisms when you see them
in black and white, so make sure that
you value and reflect on the positive
points that emerge, and use them in
your planning for the future.MAKE AN IMPRESSION
Lasting judgments can be
made, based on subconscious
cues, within the first few
seconds of meeting. Think
about any visual cues you
display and the tone of voice
you use—these can often be
more significant than what
you actually say.Tip
US_170-171_Looking_in_from_outside.indd 171 30/05/16 3:03 pm