360 degree or multisource feedback is widely recognized as one of the most effective tools in the process of leadership development. Though it might seem heresy to challenge such accepted wisdom, it is our contention that there are two problems that are often overlooked concerning this type of appraisal.

First, they have been focused on the measurement of particular leadership skills ( i.e. team building, goal setting, communication effectiveness, etc.), but experience has shown that the parts do not necessarily equal a whole. Assessment must be integrated into an effective framework or model.

Dell was a high flying company in the 1990s for all the right reasons. It had an innovative approach to a sorely needed product. Michael Dell was heralded as one of the great business leaders of our day.

But then a funny thing happened - Dell forgot what got them to the top. First, they got careless in allowing their famed quality service to lapse. Then they allowed competitors like Apple and Hewlett-Packard to sneak up on them. Dell's stock has sunk dramatically, and even worse, they seem to lack the leadership to get them back on track.