Personal Performance Review Ideas From a Manager's Point of View

Performance review time can be a very stressful time in the workplace, and not just for the employees. Many managers have difficulty in fairly assessing an employee's performance because they are too nice, inexperienced or too busy. Performance reviews are a tool meant to improve the overall workplace. Show enthusiasm when performing the reviews to keep the office morale up, and judge everyone by the same standards. In addition to the traditional performance review data that are typically reviewed, consider other elements as ways to get more out of the review process.

Value

When evaluating the work done by an employee, ensure that you are not just looking at the quantity of work done. Scrutinize the work produced by all individuals you will be dealing with. Many employees are capable of much more than they are currently producing, but they often need guidance to see the error in their methods. By informing them of their shortcomings, not as a scolding but as a conversation, you can encourage them to refine their work and, in the end, be better employees.

Conduct

Evaluate not just the employee's performance but also the example and mood he sets for other employees. Regardless of the quality of his work, if an employee is affecting the morale of the entire office in a negative way, this should be thoroughly addressed. If, on the other hand, he is making positive contributions while also performing excellent work, he should be recognized. Next to added benefits or a raise, personal recognition is the best motivator for your employees.

Self Examination

When interviewing an employee about her performance, it is always important to find out where she feels she needs work as well as what areas she is excelling in. One of the most important benefits of these questions is that you could find that an employee would be better appropriated in another position. This can also give you a feel of where your entire office staff stands on their skill sets. If you find that many of your employees feel they have deficiencies in the same area, you should continue sponsoring some training for them as a group.

Additional Information

The performance interview is also a great time to get feedback from your employees. While many employees are tight-lipped about changes that should occur in the workplace, some give excellent advice for both major and minor changes that could drastically improve your business. From a managerial standpoint, you will miss many of the job-specific details that could make your employees happier and more productive. Take these ideas to heart, and listen sincerely; from an employee's point of view, there is nothing worse than going out on a limb and feeling that your boss isn't really listening to you.