Information Center

Management
Development
Approaches

For more Information in this area, click on the links below to go to each section:

1. Training Programs

2. Performance Appraisals

3. Organizational Surveys

4. The MFS Approach

Organizational Surveys

Process and timing really DO matter!

Corporations use elaborate, well-crafted paper and pencil surveys to take the pulse of the organization's people. For the large investment in time and expense, these techniques are not usually capable of providing a manager with relevant, specific, timely feedback that empowers them to take effective action.

In recent years, much interest has been expressed in 360° feedback. This approach collects data from a manager’s boss, direct reports, peers and sometimes others, about the manager’s leadership and management style and/or attitudes and/or behavior. This data is then analyzed by a third party and fed back to the manager for his or her information and possible action.

The MFS™ process is easily confused with the plethora of such programs being promoted for a variety of purposes. We believe it is important to make explicit the significant distinctions between MFS™ and 360° feedback. Based on our experience and reports from clients who have used both MFS™ and 360° feedback approaches, there are a number of points to consider:

MFS™ is focused on helping a manager identify work group needs as experienced by members of the work group and then to address these needs for the mutual benefit of the work group and the manager.

Feedback from other sources, Boss and Peers, does not accurately reflect the needs of the work group, and if combined with work group data, contaminates that data and provides inaccurate results.

Why have a manager's boss complete a survey when the manager can more effectively get this information in a face to face discussion?

Three tiers of simultaneous data creates confusion and information overload. Managers have enough to do to digest the data from their work group and initiate needed change.

MFS™ does provide a foundation for the subsequent collection of data from work groups’ suppliers and customers, internal and external, to effect improvement in those working relationships. However, this requires a much different process and set of questions to be effective.

Process and Timing Really DO matter!