Worth-the-Time Performance Reviews

Hello, I'm Raechel. And I write tips, tricks, and guides.

I’m a systems and strategic thinker. Who likes to make things look pretty.

The nonprofit sector can sometimes be synonymous with the phrase “doing more with less.”

This series aims to help organizations do that by identifying subtle untapped resources that will elevate their good work.

Yes! It’s performance review time.

Said no one. Ever.But that’s because most places don’t make them worth-the-time

Talented, mission-drive individuals can launch organizations to new levels.

On the other side of the coin, whether you’re just beginning your career or a familiar face around the water cooler, performance reviews done well can offer you valuable insights on the context of your job as well as a pro-active opportunity to advance your skills and contribute toward solutions to issues.

And if you happen to have a few, making performance reviews worthwhile is a vital component to keeping them engaged and advancing your mission.

let’s um… do that.Shall we?Shall we?

so

Don’t hold onto the past.1

good questionsWhat skills does the employee have that aren’t fully utilized in their current role?

What additional skills are needed for the employee to grow/be more successful?

Performance reviews shouldn’t be the time for a supervisor to provide surface-level positive reinforcement (you’re so great!) or bottled-up criticism (you know you really should make sure to be here right on time.)

Then once performance reviews come around, focus on performance-related feedback, not just the day-to-day stuff. That should be talked about day-to-day.

Give your employee regular feedback on a regular basis.

supervisors…

It can be a challenge to patience when performance reviews are sprinkled with surface-level positive reinforcement (you’re so great!) or bottled-up criticism (you know you really should make sure to be here right on time.) If your supervisor provides you with a glowing review, present your ideas as: I appreciate that you like my work so far, but I also have more skills and ideas I’d like you to consider… If your supervisor provides a lot of criticism during your review, present your ideas as: I hear your concerns, and they’re my concerns too. Have some ideas.

good questions I have these skills … how can I serve

the organization in those ways?

I could would much better if I had X, how might I help make that happen?

employees…

Don’t cut corners.2

Performance reviews aren’t the time for useless ratings on subjective stuff like reliability or professional appearance. If that stuff’s in question by the time you conduct a performance review, you should consider if the person is a good fit at all.

good questions Tell me about what’s working and what’s not in the programs you oversee.

I’ve reviewed your work’s outcomes. How do you think we can approve them

supervisors…

A bunch of subjective check boxes also invites laziness. If you’re taking the time to do a performance review, give yourself enough time to go over your notes from previous meetings, and review some of their projects.

Performance reviews that are heavy on big lists of subjective checkboxes can be less than useful for understanding where you stand with your supervisor and the organization.

good questionsWhat expectations does leadership

have of the work I oversee?

What goals should I shoot for by this time next year?

employees…

Come prepared with evidence of how you have contributed toward the organization’s success. And also a realistic idea of how to improve the work you oversee.

Don’t forget it takes two.3

Performance reviews are perfect opportunities to work on both sides of the equation. Executives and supervisors should also be evaluated on their ability to support and foster the professional development of their employees.

If you have an established report with leadership, suggest two-way evaluations as an organization-wide policy. Some of the most successful companies today evaluate supervisors just as much, if not more than employees. Managers play an unmistakable role in employee satisfaction and agency effectiveness.

supervisors…

Encourage two-way evaluations. Investigate the best way to conduct and collect anonymous evaluations of supervisors. Then take clear and announced action on critical issues that were raised.

employees…

If you aren’t in a position to suggest two-way evaluations, consider simply letting your supervisor know what you need from them to be best at your job during your performance evaluation.

Don’t hold onto the past. Don’t cut corners.

Don’t forget it takes two.

Bonus: Watch this great video. http://youtu.be/u6XAPnuFjJc

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This was just a taste. For the full guide on this topic as well as other spoonfuls, please visit: