In recent times, a noteworthy pattern has emerged from our 360-degree feedback surveys: collaboration as a competency is consistently rated lower than other competencies for many leaders. This trend sheds light on an often-overlooked challenge facing today’s leaders—building and maintaining strong collaborative relationships with peers. Why Is Collaboration with Colleagues a Challenge? A closer look reveals multiple factors contributing to this challenge. At the surface, issues such as a clash of priorities, working styles, or personal preferences can inhibit collaboration. However, deeper underlying factors may also play a role, including personal agendas or even individual egos that inadvertently affect open communication and trust-building. Each of these elements can stand as a barrier, making effective collaboration difficult, even for well-meaning leaders. The Role of 360-Degree Feedback in Fostering Collaboration 360-degree performance feedback provides a unique, comprehensive view of a leader’s interactions—not only from the leader’s perspective but from that of peers, team members, and sometimes external stakeholders. This rounded view allows leaders to identify areas for improvement, especially those that might not be immediately apparent in day-to-day operations. When it comes to collaboration, 360-degree feedback can serve as an invaluable mirror, revealing insights that may otherwise remain hidden. The Importance of Collaboration in Today’s Work Environment Today’s professional landscape is interdependent. The most innovative ideas and the most efficient solutions often arise from collective effort. Leaders who prioritize collaboration are more likely to succeed, as they can harness diverse perspectives and skills to achieve common goals. Moreover, leaders who excel at collaboration foster a culture of openness and teamwork, driving their teams to perform at higher levels. In Conclusion: In a world where success increasingly depends on interdependence and teamwork, collaboration is essential for leaders to thrive. By using 360-degree feedback as a foundation for personal growth, leaders can develop stronger collaborative relationships, align better with colleagues and ensure collective success. Are you interested in empowering your team with comprehensive, constructive feedback for continuous growth? Reach out to us for a 360 Degree Feedback program in your organisation. https://hrfootprints.com/contact-us/

Accountability is often treated as a buzzword in workplace conversations, but its importance cannot be overstated. It is an underrated pillar of high-performing organizations and a critical factor in fostering performance. While it has always been part of the management dictionary, accountability has now taken centre stage, making it essential for every organization to directly address it. Accountability & its significance Accountability is not just about completing tasks or meeting deadlines. True accountability involves owning decisions, actions, and outcomes that align with organizational goals and drive meaningful results. With workplaces undergoing significant transformations ranging from hybrid work models to the increasing complexity of team dynamics, the need to assess accountability is felt even more strongly within organizations. Top-performing organizations recognize accountability as a driving force behind success. They integrate it at every level, from leadership that sets clear expectations to employees who take ownership of their contributions. This culture makes them adaptable and resilient, especially in times of uncertainty. Accountability & its Relevance for HR Professionals For HR professionals, driving organizational performance has always been a top priority. From interview assessment tools to 360-degree feedback and development centres, many frameworks are in place to assess and build individual and team capability. However, capability alone doesn’t deliver performance. We believe performance is a product of both capability (can you do it?) and accountability (will you own it?). nPAS to Measure Accountability While there are tools to measure capability, measuring accountability has always been a challenge and often an overlooked area. Based on our extensive experience, we developed a research-based tool, nPAS to measure accountability at an organizational level. nPAS = Net Performance Accountability Score nPAS measures accountability at the organizational level, enabling organizations to diagnose the factors that support or hinder performance. Our research indicates that accountability hinges on five critical drivers: leadership, culture, people, processes, and consequences. By assessing these areas, organizations can identify strengths, and stress points, uncover opportunities for improvement, and make data-driven decisions to sustain or enhance accountability, and thereby performance. For HR leaders, accountability is not just about addressing current challenges; it is about redefining organizational performance. Measuring accountability helps foster inclusivity, empower teams, and build stronger relationships across all levels, where the entire organization collectively owns the outcomes. A culture of accountability also enables recognition and reinforces positive behaviours. By focusing on individual contributions, organizations can encourage employees to own their successes and learn from setbacks. This results in a high-performing workplace, which can lead to several positive outcomes, such as more ownership, a sense of purpose, alignment with organizational goals, reduced attrition,  and much more. Accountability: an imperative Prioritizing accountability on the HR agenda is no longer optional; it is essential. It is the bridge between where an organization is today and where it wants to be. By committing to a culture of accountability, organizations can unlock their true potential and navigate the challenges of a dynamic business landscape with confidence. Are you a highly accountable organization? Assess your nPAS. Reach out to us at shashank@hrfootprints.com Let’s make accountability your top priority!