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The weather during the past few weeks has been icy and mean.

I was out for my usual morning walk, striding along with great confidence, when suddenly I found myself on my hands and knees.

I think of myself as a pretty stable guy, so I didn't enjoy that closeup view of a slippery sidewalk. But I brushed myself off, and kept going.

Three days later, I was walking down our frozen back lane. A car was backing toward me, but the driver spotted me and stopped. Good thing too, because next moment I was lying on my side on a treacherous stretch of ice.

The driver put her head out the window and asked, "Are you OK?"

"Oh, I'm fine," I replied cheerfully, as I struggled to my feet, not far from her back wheels.

Learning Gradually

Physically, it was true: I was fine. But inside, I was mad!

Why did it take two hard falls, negative feedback from my sore wrists and hip, plus a close encounter with the back end of a car, before I adapted my over-confident gait to my wintry circumstances?

And what, you might be asking, does this story have to do with 360-degree feedback?

Well, there is no doubt that you will get abundant positive results from your very first use of 360. Many participants will study their reports and make positive changes right away.

But there are plenty of people in your organization who, like me, have to receive feedback two or three times before insight entirely overcomes their obstinacy. It takes a while to recognize that they can make changes, and be the better for it.

Consistency And Growth

360-degree feedback is not a flashy, one-time intervention. To get full results, it needs to become part of the culture, part of the organization's strategic plan.

Only then, will all the benefits of feedback become available to your participants. Relationships between key players will become more trusting and supportive. The entire organization will function at a higher level.

As in any human development process, you have to be committed for the long haul. It's a law of nature.

Me? It took two slips, but I've learned to walk more sensibly. (And I'm sure looking forward to springtime!)

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