Skip to content
Supportive HR Solutions
Performance

Making performance reviews worth the time

Reviews fail when they are annual, one-directional, and disconnected from day-to-day work. Here is a lighter approach.

Most people can recall a performance review that felt pointless. Usually the problem is not the form — it is the rhythm around it.

Make feedback regular

If the first detailed feedback an employee receives is at the annual review, the review is doing too much work. Short, regular check-ins take the pressure off both sides.

Separate development from evaluation

Conversations about growth and conversations about rating are different. Mixing them makes people defensive and less open.

Be specific

"Good communication" is hard to act on. "You kept the client informed during the delay, which avoided escalation" is something a person can repeat.

Prepare both sides

Give employees the questions in advance. A review should be a discussion, not an ambush.

Close the loop every time

Every review should end with two or three specific, agreed actions — and a date to revisit them.

Keep reading

More resources

Want help applying this in your organisation?

Tell us what you are working on and we will suggest a practical next step.

Send an enquiry