It’s time to get ready for annual performance appraisals. [email protected] asked me to research the topic and wrote an article about how project managers can best prepare for the dreaded one on one with their line manager. Because the subject matter was so fascinating, I ended up contacting a lot of experts. Here are some things to keep in mind before you start your appraisal. These are experts who know what they’re talking about.
Keep a plain text file of your accomplishments on your computer. Spend 10 minutes each month writing a paragraph or a dozen bullet points listing your major achievements. This will allow you to have a ‘cheatsheet’ at the end of each year that can be used to remind you about all the great accomplishments of the year.
This is a great opportunity to get specific feedback and examples of ways you can improve. What does it mean to have more client contact? What qualifies as “more sales?” What does “better communication skills” actually mean? You need to be able to quantify your answers in order to give yourself a fair standard against whom you can measure in future appraisals.
Take responsibility for any mistakes made throughout the year, don’t blame anyone, and be solution-oriented. Francie Dalton is a management consultant specializing in employee evaluation.
Document your achievements during the year and any certifications. Dr Drew Stevens, President of Getting to the Finish Line, author of ‘Pump up Your Productivity’.
My top tip is to not wait for the appraisal to find out what your boss thinks of you. Your goals, successes, as well as your challenges, should be discussed with your boss throughout the year. Ask for your boss’s perspective. Be sure there are no surprises. It’s not good to surprise your client with unexpected information.
The self-evaluation is an important part of the performance appraisal process. The appraisal process is initiated when the employee fills out a form. This is the employee’s chance to share their thoughts about their performance, the performance of their manager, and the performance of the company. This method has produced many wonderful ideas.
Talking too much is another communication mistake. People often feel uncomfortable with silence and will talk to fill it. This can lead to people talking too much or getting off track. Listen! Listen! This is the number one reason for miscommunications. Matt Eventoff, President of PPS Associates/Princeton Public Speaking
Be open about the things that could have been done better. There are always things you could have done differently to achieve your goals. You can balance the achievements with some things you could have done differently to achieve even better results. Most rational managers will appreciate honesty and introspection, and not feel like the wool is being pulled over them. Lonnie Pacelli, author of The Project Management advisor: 18 Major Project Mistakes and How to Cut Them Off at the Pass, and CEO of Banzai Sushi
