Leadership behaviours improved by LQF 360° tool

An independent evaluation of the Leadership Quality Framework’s 360° review tool (‘LQF 360°’) confirms that it commands widespread support within the NHS, and provided firm evidence of its beneficial impact.

The LQF, which was launched in 2002 and is offered by the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement, describes the qualities expected of existing and aspiring NHS leaders. The associated 360º review tool is designed to help individuals identify where their leadership strengths and development needs lie. The process includes getting confidential feedback from line managers, peers and direct reports.  As a result, it gives an individual other people’s perceptions of their leadership abilities and behaviour. Around 3,000 people undertake the LQF 360º review each year.

The evaluation of the LQF 360º undertaken during 2010 on behalf of the NHS Institute draws upon qualitative and quantitative data gathered from senior leaders and other individuals in the NHS who have taken part in an LQF 360º review, to measure the impact that it has had on the individual, the organisation and the wider NHS.

Impacts revealed by the evaluation included improvements in specific quality areas as well as more general workplace behaviours, improved awareness of the way behaviour affects colleagues, an ability to communicate more openly with team members and enhanced team working. As one Clinical Lead from an Acute Trust said, ‘I have learnt that the best ideas come through collaboration and that an idea developed by more than one person will probably be better than those done by just one alone.’  Undertaking an LQF 360º review has often been the catalyst to ongoing personal development.

The research findings, which will be used to ensure that the LQF continues to be fit for the future, are available to download.