The Skinny On Performance
Most managers like giving performance reviews about as much as getting a root canal surgery
. Early in my career, I was charged with developing a new performance appraisal system for a regional bank. The current system was not working: it demoralized people; it did not measure performance that was related to the business of banking. In fact, there was even some evidence that it decreased performance.
This old appraisal focused on characteristics that were pretty much impossible to measure: shows initiative, team player, excellent customer service, and acts with integrity. These characteristics are difficult to measure unless one establishes at the onset, what specific measures relate to high initiative, high team player, high customer service, high integrity. More to the point, one could argue that these are really values, not measures of performance. Often the two are confused when it comes to performance appraisal. Imagine if Wall Street evaluated a companys performance on its ability to show initiative. I think it would be pretty much impossible to arrive at a coherent valuation. Why should performance appraisals be any different?
Since performance appraisals based on values are notoriously difficult to measure, they are doubly difficult to give. How can I say an employee is acting with high integrity versus average integrity? And how can I be sure that my employee on the receiving end will ever be in agreement with such a subjective measure? Typically, they are not. And so, because of the inherent conflict in such a scenario, most managers avoid the performance appraisal meeting. Performance appraisals do have their place, and can be a very useful tool in shaping behavior and improving performance.
First, performance appraisals should be related to the business at hand, and specifically to the employees responsibilities. If your employee is responsible for making house calls to repair appliances, then her performance appraisal should reflect that.
Second, appraisals should be measurable in concrete terms. If customer service is a responsibility, it could be measured by the number of complaints lodged against the employee, the number of times the employee is specifically recommended by a customer, or the number of times the employee is asked to return to fix other problems.
Third, employees should be part of the goal setting process including performance measures. If you involve your employee in setting goals for his/her performance, AND the measurement of those goals, they will be much more likely to achieve those goals.
Finally, performance appraisal meetings should not be reserved for an annual event. If you have a performance appraisal meeting and your employee is surprised by the appraisal, then you have failed in your job as a manager. A more effective way to improve performance is to have quarterly meetings, the focus of which is upon the progress toward meeting the goals as described by their inherent measures. Using this approach, the meetings take a tone of problem solving instead of ego bashing. And, performance actually improves. Imagine that!
You may not be in the banking business, but you may need help with developing a new performance appraisal system for your company. We help people find solutions that make their business better.
Were External Resources, a company that delivers interim and permanent executives who specialize in leadership and strategy, finance and human resources, sales and marketing, and information technology for commerce and government.
by: External Resources
Improve Return-to-work Process To Enhance Employee Performance Solar Photovoltaic Technology Performance Get Greater Athletic Performance With A Better Night's Sleep Maximize Printer Performance With Hp Cartridges Led Tail Lights - For Long Lasting Performance Wie Peak Performance Woman Jacken Fr Mnner Kaufen Teddy Bear Museum, Gift Hua Kexiu Performance Fixing Ost File In Outlook 2007 To Troubleshoot Performance Issues In Ms Office Toyota Yaris Economy Vehicle & Engine Performance Ford Fiesta Excellent Features & Handling Performance Bmw 520d Engine Performance & Inside Features Work Out Mpg To Improve Your Cars Performance High Quality Cricket Goods Is A Must For Ensuring Performance