Our thinking needs to change about performance appraisals. Developing employees’ strengths rather than focusing on so called “areas for improvement” will reap the most benefits for your employees and subsequently your business. We also need to focus on the future rather than review past failures. It may be counter-intuitive but this is precisely what a growing number of HR experts are advising their clients to do. If you don’t have a performance appraisal process in place already talk to your HR adviser.