Hi Kevin. I skimmed one of your last sentences and read it as, "My experience has been that (360 degree) assessment tends to be inaccurate." I was completely ready to agree with you :) I say that because I have had to help unravel sometimes contradictory 360 feedback for others.

I think self-assessment and assessment from others is both needed. I found 360 most useful for myself when a trusted colleague (who didn't always agree with me) helped me interpret it. I have received some priceless gems in that way.

Bottom line you make a VERY important point: Versus your own assessment, "the staff did not always agree. I learned to put more credence in their assessments than my own." Granted there are some people that you are never going to please, but the point you remind me of is that we CAN be easier on ourselves sometimes because we know our intent. All that other people experience is the impact. They don't necessarily know our intent. We can't take that for granted.

Thank you for the thought-provoking remarks and taking this post even further.