How to Excel During Performance Review Discussion at Workplace

All organisations carry out performance review discussions, to evaluate and assess, if individuals are able to do their work properly.

Based on this, the management may determine increment in salary, promotion, transfers etc. with respect to the individuals concerned.

Definitions

Let us now understand the definition of performance.

We define performance as achievement of an organization or an individual, with respect to their set goals / or targets.

It includes the following:

• Outcome or results
• Which organisations or individuals might accomplish

Performance of any employee may refer to the following:

• How do they behave at workplace?
• How do they perform their assigned job?
• What is the effectiveness, efficiency and quality of the job-execution by them?

We may define Review as the following:

• Re-examine all aspects, including the changes we want to incorporate
• Assess if the people and teams could accomplish the goals set earlier

Thus, we may define Performance review as the process, which consists of the following:

• Critically examining the output / results of an individual, team or organisation with references to pre-fixed, strategic goals.
• Further discussion on how to improve the performance, and what are developmental needs of an individual, team or organisation.
• We may document and keep it as a record for future decisions, concerning growth of an individual.

How to excel during Performance review discussions at workplace

This is a known fact that employees in any organization do not like the annual performance review or appraisal. They hate the concept itself. This is in view of the fact that these appraisals make the basis for their promotion, increase in salary, foreign trips or any other change related to them.

Here are 7 basic tips, by which you can make the performance review discussion, a memorable and pleasant one.

1. Know your organization well

As an active employee, you should know in detail, the systems, processes and rules of the organization. You should also be familiar with the system of annual performance appraisal. Some other aspects, you should also try to know well are:

• What happens actually during these reviews?
• What are the parameters of measurement of performance?
• Is the process objective or totally subjective?
• Is there a benchmark in your organization to measure the performance?
• Are integrity, potential and capability also taken care during the review?

A clear cut answer to these questions will empower you to evolve an appropriate strategy to excel during performance review discussions.

2. Prepare a separate goal for yourself

Usually, managers give a list of tasks / goals to the employees at the beginning of the year. Then they review the performance of the employee against their pre-fixed targets or goals. However, the author is of the opinion that you should prepare a separate self-goal sheet in the beginning of the year itself. This should include.

• Normal goals/ tasks/targets as assigned by the organization.
• Additional goals, which you want to accomplish, should also be listed. These self goals should be challenging.
• This sheet should also include the work done by you in domains of social, philanthropic and extra- curricular activities.

We should bear it in mind that this extra work done during the year may prove to be very beneficial during preparation of “Self Appraisal”.

3. Work extensively on your self appraisal

Usually the employees submit a “self appraisal” document. Then the managers holds the performance review discussion.

Ask the following question to yourself, before you go through your performance review discussion:

• How will the performance of individuals in the group be measured?
• What are the key parameters, on which the rating will be done?
• How do you fit in to these key performance indices?

Answer to these questions will also help you in writing your self appraisal, in a better way.

You should work on it in an extensive manner to let it look challenging, realistic and holistic. Even the smallest detail of work which proved to be beneficial to the organization, should be mentioned here.

In this aspect, suggestion given above in “prepare a separate goal for yourself”, may be hugely beneficial.

4. Put yourself in the role of your boss, before performance review discussion

The author is of the opinion that putting yourself in the role of your boss, is an excellent way to build up rapport. Your behavior and persona will be stress-free, once you put yourself in the role of your boss.

You will start releasing the difficult role of your boss. This may create an emotional bond between both of you.

5. Continue to discuss your own performance and related issues with stake holders, throughout the year

This may prove to be a boon, if carefully handled. This communication may be on any or all of the following:

• Your accomplishments
• The obstacles in your path and how you could overcome them
• Self-learning aspects with respect to mistakes you made and preventive action that you may have taken

However, we should always remember that while doing all this, positivity should continue to prevail, without even an iota of complaint, or nagging.

6. Share your goals for the next year

During the discussion, you may share the additional goals, which may be accomplished in the year ahead.

This may create positivity and also an environment of co-operation, trust and good will.

7. What you should not say

If team has not performed well, do not blame anybody. Rather, discuss how the things could have been done in a better way.

Further, don’t bring into picture, the organisational policy and or, the external circumstances for blaming your own bad performance.

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