Communicating effectively will reduce anxiety and increase participation.

We believe everyone needs to understand the context of a 360 degree feedback process and so well-written, timely communication at the beginning of the process will make the rest
of the process smooth.

However, when actually in the 360, we believe that you should communicate only when absolutely necessary. Automated emails going out every day will only serve to de-sensitise the recipients to your communication

Your initial communication should cover:

• Why are we doing a 360?
• What are the outcomes / what will it be used for?
• What is the process?

At each phase of communication you can touch these points rather than rely on one lengthy email or information document that may not be read.

How and when to communicate is really dependent on the current knowledge within the company, the abilities of the participants, the culture, and the level of complexity in the process. As a minimum we would recommend:

• Warm up communications that identify that the 360 is coming, the intention of it and at a high level how it will work
• With a week to go, we recommend an email that explains the process
• Within the email invitations to the recipients and/or the respondents of the 360 feedback, again give process information and clarity of purpose

Brendan