Multi-rater feedback tools (aka 360-degree assessments) are one of the most powerful - and often underutilized - tools in executive and leadership coaching. When used effectively, they provide critical insight into how a leader is experienced by others, making them a cornerstone for building self- awareness and driving meaningful behavior change.
Despite their value, many coaches underuse 360-degree assessments due to uncertainty around how to evaluate, select, and interpret them effectively. With a wide range of tools on the market and significant variability in quality, it can be difficult to know where to start or how to use them with confidence.
In this practical, research-informed session, Dr. Jamie Lewis Smith provides a deep dive into 360-degree assessments, including what they are, how they work, and how to evaluate their quality and fit for different coaching contexts.
Participants will learn how to distinguish between high-quality and low-quality instruments, understand key concepts such as validity, reliability, and rater design, and identify common pitfalls that can undermine the usefulness of feedback. The session will also explore how various 360 tools are positioned in the market and what to consider when selecting an assessment based on coaching goals, client context, and desired outcomes.
This session is designed to build both competence and confidence in using 360-degree assessments, equipping coaches with the knowledge needed to move beyond hesitation and fully leverage one of the most impactful tools available in coaching practice.
Participants will be able to:
Define the core components and structure of 360-degree feedback assessments
Differentiate between high-quality and low-quality 360-degree instruments based on key psychometric and design criteria
Explain foundational concepts such as validity, reliability, and rater group composition in the context of 360 assessments
Evaluate 360-degree tools for fit based on coaching goals, client context, and intended outcomes
Identify common pitfalls and risks associated with poorly designed or misused 360-degree assessments
Core Competencies Addressed:
Demonstrates Ethical Practice, Establishes and Maintains Agreements, Evokes Awareness, Facilitates Client Growth
Participants will earn 1 Core Competency and .5 Resource Development CCEs for attending this program.
About our speaker:
Dr. Jamie Lewis Smith is a PhD-level psychologist with extensive training and experience in psychological assessment, executive coaching, and organizational development. Her doctoral training included a strong foundation in psychometrics, assessment design, and the ethical use of psychological tools.
She has conducted and published academic research on leadership and multi-rater (360-degree) assessments, including peer-reviewed work on the development and application of these tools. In addition to her research, she has designed and implemented multiple scientifically rigorous assessments used in coaching and organizational settings.
Through her work as an executive coach and CEO of Pixel Leadership Group, Jamie has extensive applied experience administering, interpreting, and debriefing 360-degree assessments across a wide range of industries and leadership levels. She regularly trains coaches and leaders on how to effectively use assessment data to drive insight, behavior change, and development.
This combination of academic expertise and real-world application uniquely positions her to help coaches understand, evaluate, and confidently use 360-degree assessments in their practice.
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