Getting the most from appraisals - from both sides
Does your organisation have one of those annual 'occasions' that
few look forward to: the annual appraisal or performance review?
How do you look forward to it? I wonder how people talk about it
before and after?
Are appraisals worth doing? If done properly - yes. If done
poorly - no!!!
Why have appraisals? When carried out properly they can achieve
a number of benefits for all parties. The organisation, the
manager and the appraisee can:
establish current levels of performance, and the organisation
benchmark across departments or functions
identify ways of improving performance, individually and
collectively
set clear goals for the future
assess potential and desire for development
establish the appropriate means of motivation
improve communication throughout.
Some of the typical problems that happen to lead to poor
appraisals are:
- It is an annual process
- Nothing has happened with the outcome of the last one
- There is no on-going feedback or review of progress
- Things can change in between, whether it is the manager or the
job!
- The process is not taken seriously from the top
- The organisational culture views the whole process as a chore
to be endured
- Insufficient preparation time or effort
- The 'recency' effect where only the previous 6-8 weeks are
reviewed
- Too much focus on the negatives or problems of the year
- It is too subjective and too much is based on opinion
- It is too time consuming and interferes with day-to-day work
- Appraisals are just part of the salary negotiation
When you look at what can be achieved and compare the benefits
with the reasons why they often fail to deliver, you can see
that a lot of this is due to the attitude of the organisation
and the line managers, starting from the top!
Think about what can happen when appraisals are handled in a
constructive manner. They allow the organisation and individuals
to:
learn from the past to improve the future
build on successes and strengths for the future
recognise individuals' strengths and abilities
identify areas to develop skills and knowledge
value individual contribution
improve working relationships through clear communication
This does not mean that managers should "duck" difficult issues
or things they are not happy with. However, there should be no
surprises at an appraisal. Feedback on performance should be
given at the time - not stored up for the appraisal!!! As a
manager, if you have concerns, deal with them. Most people want
to be given feedback on their performance regularly (and that
does not mean annually!!) - even if it is to be told they have
to improve.
One challenge in many organisations is to use the current system
effectively. Too many people get caught up in worrying about the
paperwork - whether designing a new set or using the existing. I
recall working with one client in developing a good, thorough,
process only to be questioned by some directors from their
Scandinavian partner about why we were going to so much trouble.
They held up a blank sheet of paper and explained that was their
idea of all they needed for a productive appraisal!!! They are
right. The reality is that a productive appraisal owes more to
the quality of the communication between the people involved
than to the paperwork!
Should appraisals involve salary reviews? This is a quandary
with no straightforward answer. When they do, there is a risk
that the amount of the rise becomes the absolute focus of the
discussion and can even be a negotiation. If they don't, how
objective is the salary award when it is given? My own view is
that the salary review and appraisal can be linked, yet held
very separately. There is no reason for not holding the
appraisal, setting some goals and even specifying some
behavioural change and then using this as a part of the salary
discussion. Although there is a risk in having the appraisal and
salary combined - it can work, regardless of the gap. After all,
shouldn't salary and raises reflect performance rather than just
opinion? If appraisals are carried out well and constructively
there should be a fit between the two.
Everyone involved has to take their share of responsibility for
making appraisals work. While the tips below will not guarantee
success, they will help you to get more from the process,
whatever your role.
If you are the 'appraiser':
Make the time to prepare properly!
Set a time for the review - and stick to it! Do not move it
around - what message does that send out? Allow anything from 1
- 2 hours.
Choose a place where you can have the privacy for a proper, open
meeting with no interruptions! Turn off mobile phones.
Have a short meeting with the interviewee a few days before and
outline what you want them to do before the meeting and during
it.
Look at last year's review and identify what progress has been
made.
Think about the good things the employee has achieved and done -
do not just look for the negatives.
Be specific with the points you want to discuss and review -
with evidence not just opinion.
Set an agenda or structure for the meeting and stick to it.
Make sure they do a lot of the talking, it is THEIR review not
yours! Also, LISTEN to what they say and build on it
Remember to give feedback on performance or behaviour - not
personality!
Note where job changes might have impacted on achievement of the
goals from last year and identify successes.
Set and agree clear, SMART goals, both short and medium term.
If you are being reviewed or appraised:
Remember to 'own' the process - you have a responsibility to
make it work for you, it is not just down to your boss!
Make time to prepare by reviewing what you have done and how
even if there is no formal self-assessment process.
Obtain a copy of the previous review from HR or your boss if you
don't have one.
If your role or responsibilities have changed since the previous
appraisal, identify the goals you achieved up until the change
and those after.
Make notes of the key points you want to mention.
Be honest in your self-assessment about what you could have
improved upon.
Be specific about the things you have done well.
Think about what you want for the short, medium and long-term.
What support, training or development would you like?
What might be sensible areas to set goals for the future? Be
willing to suggest these to your boss.
Ask for clear and specific feedback.
If you would like your boss to manage you differently, use this
as a time to ask, giving reasons about why it would benefit all
of you!
Ensure you are clear about what the boss thinks and why - and
whether it fits with your own self-assessment. If there is a
difference, explore why this is the case. Work to reach
agreement.
Finally, there should be a sense of agreement about what has
happened, what will happen and how. To reinforce the
effectiveness, avoid making it just an annual event. Set
on-going reviews to monitor progress towards the goals, to
support any training or development and to improve communication
between bosses and teams.
An idea for all is to keep some notes throughout the year of
successes and any particular challenges or events you want to
recall later. It will help to reduce some of the subjectivity of
poor appraisals and also makes sure things are remembered
throughout the year!