Tips for Giving a Performance Review
Performance reviews are polarizing. Some people love them, and some hate them. This goes for managers as well as employees. However, everyone needs to know how they’re doing from time to time, and as a manager, it’s your duty to use this meeting as a coaching opportunity. It can be daunting to give your first performance review, so read on to find out some things you should know beforehand.
Calm Your Nerves
Before doing anything with the review itself, make sure you take time to alleviate any concerns you have. Common fears are that the employee won’t be receptive, or that they will be too sensitive to the information. Remind yourself that most employees just want to know how they’re doing. While it can be difficult to get bad news, reviews rarely devolve into a therapy session or screaming match. Additionally, don’t be afraid of saying the wrong thing. The next tips will help you prepare what to say so you don’t say the wrong thing.
Point to Actions
A big reason why people dislike reviews is that they can be too personal. It is essential to not tell the employee they are bad. Hearing they are bad can put them in the mindset that they can never improve. Instead, look to specific examples of what they’ve done wrong. This shows them the kinds of things they should look to change.
Conversely, if you’re giving praise, make sure to praise specific actions, too. If they handled a client call well, don’t tell them they have great communication. Instead, tell them that you noticed how well they handled that specific call and that it is indicative of their overall ability to communicate effectively. By pointing out specifics, you can both help improve negative habits and provide examples of positive habits that should continue. All of this happens without making the review about their character.
Ask for Advice
Sometimes, reviews have certain nuances, depending on the role. It can be nice to ask an experienced coworker or boss how they give reviews. They can help provide guidance on areas to focus on, as well as preparing you for any unexpected questions that could come up. Just make sure not to provide any specifics about your employee if it is confidential.
Prepare to Negotiate
Salary negotiations are often a large part of reviews. It is a good idea to brush up on your negotiating skills ahead of time. Know the limit of what you are able to offer and don’t let emotions push you beyond that. If there is little or no room to negotiate, be upfront. Your employee will likely assume there will be negotiations unless stated otherwise.
It is not difficult to give a performance review once you do it a few times. However, the first time can be scary if you are unprepared. Make sure to prepare well before the review to avoid any slip-ups and let it run smoothly.
