This Working Life cover image

This Working Life

Try This: performance review edition

Apr 8, 2025
Emma Power, an independent HR consultant and education-focused lecturer at the Melbourne Business School, shares valuable insights on mastering performance reviews. She emphasizes the importance of preparing ahead by documenting achievements and fostering open communication with managers. Emma discusses how to navigate surprising feedback by advocating for a growth-oriented mindset. The conversation highlights how regular check-ins can enhance understanding, ultimately leading to more productive evaluations and aligned goals between employees and managers.
18:00

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Compiling evidence of achievements and setting clear goals before a performance review can significantly enhance one's argument for a favorable rating.
  • Normalizing feedback conversations throughout the year helps reduce defensiveness and fosters a productive environment for performance evaluations.

Deep dives

Preparing for Performance Reviews

Compiling evidence ahead of a performance review is crucial for effectively presenting one's achievements. Keeping a record, such as a Word document or spreadsheet, of key events, projects, and feedback throughout the year can help frame discussions constructively. Collecting specific examples, like client feedback or colleague endorsements, provides strong support for one's case. By setting clear goals at the beginning of the review period and aligning achievements with these goals, individuals can make a more compelling argument during the review process.

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