Is your boss in the dark?

If your OC is a bit oblivious – or your RSM is failing to read the room – there may soon be a way to put them in the picture better.

Changes to the officer reporting process for 2025 mean all lieutenant colonels must use “180 feedback” from team members as part of their mid-period appraisals (MPARs).

And from the end of this year, that system will be extended to majors in OC roles as well as warrant officers in regimental sergeant major and squadron, battery and company sergeant major jobs.

Essentially, this means more soldiers are going to be asked for their views on their boss’s leadership style.

Short surveys are sent to a select number of the subject’s team members for comments, and the feedback is discussed with their reporting officer at their MPAR before being used to draft development plans.

Maj Ollie Davey (RDG) from the Personnel Policy team told Soldier more about the new system...

Why is 180-degree reporting a good thing?

It improves awareness of leadership style and how it affects the team, meaning Army officers are better able to develop. This makes them more effective for their teams. It’s also a chance for soldiers to tell leaders what is going well and what should continue.

Why do other ranks need to have their say on their bosses?

It’s important officers consider multiple points of view when they are looking to develop themselves. Everyone has blind spots – and the more perspectives that are offered on a person’s performance, the more likely it is they will spot areas for development. It also helps to ensure that leaders consider the impact of their behaviours on their subordinates.

But isn’t this just creating more work for soldiers at a time when the Army is trying to cut out paperwork to up its lethality?

It’s absolutely understood that there is a significant amount of admin our people are already asked to complete. So 180 feedback will happen every two years to make it as low impact as possible. This change would not be taking place if it had not been shown to provide genuine opportunities to improve our organisation. Ultimately, better leadership improves both the Army’s effectiveness and its fighting power.

Do you think Servicemen and women will feel they can be completely honest about the performance of their bosses?

Feedback is anonymous and detailed guidance is provided to ensure that this is maintained.

For more details on 180 feedback and changes to Army appraisals read ABN 002/2025.