Question

Although the founder of an organization is very competent, she has alienated nearly everyone in the organization. Colleagues have tried to share their concerns; however, she does not believe there to be an issue. Rather she believes she merely has a direct approach. Which assessment tool is best suited to display how her directness is impacting others?

Situation judgment tests
Emotional intelligence tools
Assessment center simulations
360-degree assessments

Answer 1

A 360-degree assessment is best equipped to show how a founder's direct approach affects others in the organization by offering multiple perspectives on behavior and performance, aligning with flat organizational structures.

Step-by-step explanation:

To best assess how the founder's directness is impacting others within the organization, a 360-degree assessment would be most effective. Despite some concerns about the reliability of 360-degree feedback highlighted by Atkins and Wood (2002), it remains a popular tool because it provides multiple perspectives on an individual's performance and behaviors, including self-assessment, peer review, subordinate feedback, and supervisor ratings. The process encourages reflection and discussion about discrepancies that can lead to important insights and learning opportunities.

In an organization that values flat structures and teamwork, 360-degree feedback aligns with the recent trend of encouraging feedback regardless of hierarchical position. It fosters a culture of open communication where even an entry-level employee's observations are considered valuable. The effectiveness of this method is further supported by its alignment with the tendency for employees to seek a more participative work environment as put forth by the case of the Executive Director of a human services agency.