Who wants to fill out a survey? Anyone? Anyone? …
You will find most employees are apprehensive about confidentiality of their responses. Others look at them as pointless tools that only waste time. The challenge, therefore, is to engage employees and make them see the value that a survey can provide.
Here are some tips for you to encourage your employees to use the 360 degree tool.
1. Explain the System First
A 360 feedback tool is indeed a great tool, not just for your company but also for the employees. But to make the most of it, you need to first explain what it is and how it can benefit them. So instead of shooting an email with the survey link, take the time to have a chat with your employees.
Tip:
Explain why you have introduced the new system and how it will help them.
2. Address Concerns
It is actually good when employees ask questions and have doubts in their minds about a new system. It just proves that they are paying attention to what you are saying. So encourage them to ask you questions about the system and how it works.
Tip:
You should focus on discussing the confidentiality.
3. Follow Up
The idea is to take actions according to the findings of the survey. For example, if you find the need for development training for an employee, follow up on possible courses that can help.
Tip:
Hire a feedback coach who is familiar with typical reactions to 360 feedback and can discuss necessary development needed.
4. Keep it Short and Simple
Nothing puts off your employees like a long, never-ending survey questionnaire. To make matters worse, many organizations include irrelevant or confusing questions. If you don’t want your participants to close the survey window as soon as it opens, take a minute and think. Are the questions really relevant? What will your employees think when they read them?
Tip:
You should also keep your questionnaire short and specific to your employees’ needs. Limit the number of questions to 10 and include only those that matter.
5. Share Constructive Feedback
Tip:
You should prepare well. The discussion should be balanced and you should treat the findings as an opportunity to boost their morale.
6. Make Opinions Count
Statistics are never useful unless you know how to use them for improvement. Moreover it is frustrating for your employees when they know that their voices are not going to be heard. You should, therefore, focus on ensuring that their opinions are taken into account.
For example if you find that an employee is keen on taking up a new job responsibility, you can encourage a job shadowing role.
Tip:
If you want them to use a 360 degree tool to tell you what they want, you have to think like them. What will be more valuable to them? What are they expecting from the initiative? These are all important questions that should matter to you. So before asking them to participate in the survey, make sure you have done your homework.