This Working Life
Can performance reviews 'exceed' expectations?
Apr 4, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Michelle Brown, a Professor of Human Resource Management at the University of Melbourne, teams up with David Burkus, a former business school professor and consultant specializing in organizational psychology. They explore the pitfalls of traditional performance reviews, emphasizing the disconnect between assessment and growth. The duo champions a shift towards ongoing feedback, highlighting its potential to foster employee development but cautioning against defensiveness. They also tackle inequities in the review process, especially for women, offering practical strategies for improvement.
29:37
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Quick takeaways
- The inherent conflict in performance reviews between evaluation and employee development often leads to misunderstandings regarding actual performance and areas for improvement.
- Companies are increasingly shifting from traditional annual performance reviews to continuous feedback systems that emphasize regular check-ins and timely insights for employee growth.
Deep dives
The Purpose of Performance Reviews
Performance reviews are intended to provide employees with structured feedback regarding their work and to communicate organizational expectations. However, there is a conflict between the evaluative aspect, which focuses on classification and ratings, and the developmental aspect, which aims at employee growth. This dual purpose makes it challenging to deliver honest, constructive feedback without the fear of impacting performance ratings negatively. Consequently, many employees might leave these reviews feeling unclear about their actual performance trajectory or areas for improvement.
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