Delivering Effective Performance Reviews

Convey your positive and encouraging intent 

When a company invests time into a promising employee, performance reviews should encompass areas where they have been conducting themselves in ways to favourably represent the organisation. Explaining to the employee how you would like them to develop further in their role and that you trust in their ability to do so will elevate the process of providing feedback. 

Be specific and descriptive about what you have observed 

Overly general feedback in appraisals makes it difficult for employees to understand exactly what is required of them or where they might be underperforming. By providing specific or critical incidents that indicate areas they can improve and take corrective action, team members can directly pinpoint where they should focus their attention.  

State the impact of the behaviour or action

Effective leaders discuss the effect that employee behaviours have on outcomes during performance reviews. Without solely describing which behaviour needs to change, explain why it needs to change based on the adverse effects it has on workplace functioning. 

Create opportunity for the employee to respond 

For a performance review to be motivating and synergistic, there must be a two-way channel of communication. This allows leaders to test their own assumptions and reasoning behind beliefs and understand what they might be missing when evaluating a situation whilst also empowering employees to feel heard. 

Collaborative discussion about appropriate change options 

Both managers and team members should have the capability to take responsibility for deciding on appropriate pathways to develop positive and productive behaviour. Setting achievable and manageable goals that are also challenging and directed towards beneficial change is an important component of a successful performance review. 

Providing feedback to employees that stimulates motivation and engagement can be a difficult and complicated task for many managers. Through coaching, leaders can master the most effective ways to deliver feedback that drives success.