Organizations and individuals can gain several advantages from implementing a multisource feedback system. These include the following:
Decreased possibility of biases. Because these systems include information from more than one source, there is a decreased possibility of biases in the identification of employees’ weaknesses.
Increased awareness of expectations. Employees become aware of others’ expectations about their performance. This includes not only the supervisor’s expectations, but also, the expectations of other managers, peers, direct reports, and customers. Increased commitment to improve. By using multisource feedback systems, information about performance is no longer a private matter.
Improved self-perceptions of performance. Employees’ distorted views of their own performance are likely to change as a result of the feedback received from other sources. Improved performance. Receiving information about one’s performance is an important step in deciding to improve. If paired with a good development plan, is likely to lead to performance improvement.
Reduced defensiveness. Multisource feedback systems provide an excellent opportunity for coworkers, superiors, and direct reports to give information about performance in an anonymous and nonthreatening way. Employees enabled to take control of their careers. By receiving detailed and constructive feedback on weaknesses and strengths, employees can gain a realistic assessment of where they should go with their careers.
Consider an organization for which you have worked that has implemented a multisource feedback system. If you cannot think of one, talk to friends or family members and ask them about a system they have experienced.