What is the primary use of 360-degree feedback?

The primary use of 360-degree feedback is for development purposes. This feedback mechanism gathers input from multiple sources—such as peers, subordinates, supervisors, and sometimes even clients—providing a comprehensive view of an individual's performance and behavior. By obtaining diverse perspectives, individuals gain insights into their strengths and areas for improvement, which are essential for personal and professional development.

This holistic approach is especially valuable for fostering self-awareness and guiding employees in setting targeted development goals. The feedback can identify blind spots that may not be apparent through traditional performance evaluations, thus helping individuals to enhance their skills and effectiveness in their roles.

While performance evaluation is a component of 360-degree feedback, it is secondary to its primary role in facilitating growth and development. Legal documentation and redundancy in feedback are not the main focuses of this approach, as the intent is to prioritize constructive feedback to strengthen overall performance rather than to serve as a formal record or merely repeat existing evaluations.