It is that time of the Year – Performance Management

Most managers I know dread this time of the year because it is time to review performance,  give feedback, take feedback and decide on bonuses & increments (this should not be that bad!).

The outcome (bonus/increment ) is pleasurable but the process; to be fair, transparent and judgmental to another human being, specially the ones who we see 8 hours of the day is not easy. Switching to an objective hat does not come naturally and many of us keep on postponing this crucial work till the last moment. When there is no choice and the last date is approaching (complete the inevitable), we sit down, try to remember vague details from the year gone by  and conjure up ratings basis recent memories (not all but most of us do follow this process).

I know I have been a little harsher than I should be but believe me that even the objective journalists, clinical doctors, surgeons, CEOs, lawyers & just about everyone shies away from this task. Corporate managers hate and abhor it.

Wouldn’t  it be nice if someone made the whole process easier  with a magic wand. The hard process should somehow disappear and the easy part of rewarding  simply happen. Alas!

Over the past 2 decades of personally engaging in this exercise, I have gathered few tips as a subordinate, these tips will make the appraisal task easier for your boss:

•  Gather & Present  Data
•  Share Feelings about the performance and the year (separately) & qualify these  feelings
• Summarise and headline your achievements (on top of your appraisal form, attach a separate sheet) 
• Be modest (supervisors hate it when you come with a chip on your shoulder)
• Show Progress over last year’s development plan & talk about it 
• Do not inflate your ratings, remember your boss is someone’s subordinate (& knows the same tricks) 
• Listen, Listen, Listen, Listen, Listen................................ 
• Gather & Present Data

I am sure you want a great appraisal rating and excellent feedback, take the initiative and write your appraisal with passion, sincerity and dedication (do not forget the data!!). 

Your boss is bound to notice it and be fair in return. Fair rating is a great rating, it will genuinely help you move up in your life.

I will be writing tips for the bosses in the next blog !!

Happy Reviews!!