Problems With Comparisons To The Group

The Subject who is not near the top of the group (and most will not be) may feel motivated and challenged to attain a higher rank. That is usually the hope of those who use group comparisons.

But equally, the comparison can have a negative impact on the Subjects' enthusiasm, morale, momentum, compensation, or continued employment.

Furthermore, the comparisons may be faulty, for these reasons:

• Each Subject in the group has different responders.
• If Subjects select their own responders, results may be slanted.
• Responses are made under widely varying conditions.

Each 360-degree feedback report is a "snapshot" of the opinion of a few Responders, at a certain moment in time, in the context of specific events and challenges. Comparing these opinions is often like comparing apples and oranges.