360 Degree Feedback: Tool for Leadership Development

Succession Planning is increasingly getting importance as we talk about vacuum of effective leadership. Activities focusing on this require finding the right talent and attributes necessary for making them effectively perform in their new assignments and in moving up in the ladder of progress. 360 degree feedback may become an effective tool to understand the potential of the prospective leader and in ensuring internal transfer with right set of skills required. Also as the upward movement in the ladder takes place, leading team and working with team becomes necessary skills. Objective of the study is to understand and establish role of 360 DF as a tool in leadership development. The paper is review of literature and will incorporate case as practical example of Indian MNCs and PSU with leadership development as an important focus area. The relevant information for the present paper has been gathered from the literatures of 360 degree feedback, leadership and through in depth interview of employees of corporate where 360 degree feedback is being implemented. It's proposed that leadership development needs fostering right attributes for which 360 DF may work as right tool. 360DF rightfully implemented could give directions to leadership development in the organization at the same time can also impact imbibing followership in its employees.