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Performance Appraisal Skills Training

Think back over your career to the last time that you underwent a performance appraisal. It wouldn’t be surprising to hear that you’ve had more negative experiences than good ones. It’s more than likely that you’re also tasked with carrying out appraisals on other employees. 

Did you know that 9 in 10 managers are not happy with how their organisations conduct performance reviews?

This appears to be a much-hated process by both employees and managers alike. So what’s wrong – is it the review in general or is there something intractable about the entire review process?

Here are a few reasons performance reviews don’t work. Reviews negatively affect employee productivity, decrease job satisfaction and create more employee churn. The process is tedious, incredibly document-driven and fraught with much negative emotion. No one seems to enjoy it at all.

Research has also shown that the single most common reason an employee leaves is their manager. The common reality in many organisations is that managers do not get training about how to manage people. But this does not mean that the performance review lacks value or relevance.

You’re not often going to see people emerge from performance appraisal meetings with a smile on their faces! Giving feedback is hard, but like many things, this is a skill that can be honed.

Performance appraisals

You will develop your skills to run effective, positive performance appraisals. You will do this by:

  • developing a better understanding of the people you manage
  • taking what you know about how to raise performance and turning this into actionable steps your staff can master
  • learning how to put people at ease and creating a welcoming and safe space so an honest, constructive conversation can occur with clear options about positive next steps
  • identify ways to keep the conversation going, eliciting relevant information and getting to the heart of the discussion.

Who is this training for?

  • Mid-level and senior leaders who currently run (or expect to run) performance appraisals with various staff

What does this workshop address?

Designed to provide you with as much hands-on experience as possible within a safe, non-threatening environment, you will benefit immensely from this immersive experience.

You will:

  • understand the most effective way in which to conduct a performance appraisal
  • uncover the best ways to address conflict, disbelief or negative feedback
  • learn how to sustain engagement and two-way dialogue as a core pillar of your appraisal technique
  • identify key tell-tale signs that your performance appraisal is headed in the wrong direction and what steps you can take immediately to rectify this
  • discover the most common mistakes people make when running such appraisals (including what to avoid)

Why attend this workshop?

On completion of this workshop, you will:

  • have a robust and tested approach to running performance appraisals
  • know how to engage better with the person whose performance you’re reviewing including good strategies for providing feedback, outlining action steps and engaging in positive two-way dialogue
  • learn useful tools and techniques to improve your appraisal process.

How and where is this workshop available?

This workshop may be delivered as a one-day offering and may be customised to meet the individual needs of your business. It is available either on-site at your business premises or through online delivery (via Zoom or MS Teams).

When is this workshop being offered?

This workshop is currently available, with the option to book from 1 April 2023.

What else?

You have the additional option to secure one-on-one private coaching to hone your skills. These individualised sessions will zoom in to address your concerns, give you a safe space to discuss issues, and provide an opportunity to put into practice all you’ve learned. You may book these sessions as one-offs or as a series.

Ditch the annual formal performance appraisal process for something far more effective and acceptable. Engage in regular, proactive discussion and review. As a manager, you’re expected to coach and equip your team. Move from being simply a compliance cop to someone who empowers your staff with the tools and resources they need to assess themselves, to course-correct and to improve as needed.