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.
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Keep A Continuous Evidence Log
- Keep a running evidence log (Word or spreadsheet) recording key events, achievements and feedback each month or fortnight.
- Use client feedback and manager/colleague comments as evidence to support your review claims.
Map Evidence To Goals
- Align your evidence to the specific KPIs or goals you set at the start of the period and pull the best pieces for each goal.
- Lead the conversation in the review to share positive evidence and take ownership of your performance.
Have Regular Low-Stakes Check-Ins
- Normalise feedback by having regular check-ins so the formal review holds fewer surprises and lower stakes.
- Practise receiving feedback through frequent conversations to improve your response over time.