Many companies already utilize 360-degree ratings where managers receive mini reviews from all of a person's peers, superiors, subordinates, and customers.  Traditionally the results of this information is shared between employee and manager, and sometimes the manager may share the results with his or her subordinates.  But imagine the impact when the 360-degree reviews are posted on the comapny intranet for everyone to see.

That's exactly what India-based HCL Technologies did in order to overcome an almost crippling high turnover rate of 20.4% among its young engineers and technical people (BusinessWeek, Nov. 19, 2007).  This open-book assessment of leadership and management talent has brought down that rate down three straight quarters to 17.2%, increased quarterly net income 42%, and posted a similar 42% increase in income.

In essence, the company is working to switch the typical role and wants it managers to suck up to its employees!

This is one unique way in which organizations can foster a more collegial work environment, one that may appeal more to the vast number of Gen Y employees joining companies today.  The important consideration here, though, is that HCL recognizes that leading people comes down to managing them the way they want to be managed--not the way you think they should be handled.

Corporation Man meet the Collegial Man!