Appraisals shouldn't trigger fear and anxiety

 

Appraisals shouldn't trigger fear and anxiety in people. Managers and Sub-ordinates alike. 

People are left scared as 

well as scarred by Appraisals. 

Managers & Sub-ordinates alike. 

Appraisals have a purpose to serve 

but most of us are doing a bad job at it. 

Managers as well as their team members 

dread the appraisal talk as it is seen 

as conflict & confrontation. 

Managers think they need to justify 

the rating they have given while 

the team members need to 

justify their self-appraisal. 

It is seen as a win-lose game, 

where one need to convince the 

other while holding a divergent view. 

Rarely is there an alignment between 

the manager and the poor team member 

(blessed and lucky are the ones who have) 

Appraisals need to change so that they actually serve the purpose. 

Some thoughts … 

1. Managers need to be educated, trained and sensitized about how to go about conducting the appraisal and preparing for it (which is not a few days effort but an entire year long effort). Often it is 'not knowing what to do and how to do' that results in bad 'appraisal talk' experience - for both parties.  

2. Team members need to be educated on the actual purpose of the appraisal and what is not in the scope of discussion. Appraisal is seen as a salary increment negotiation opportunity and if it is not then everyone needs to know, because that is a significant conversation in appraisal talk and often the topic which derails the whole conversation.  

3. The most important one. Appraisal needs to be forward looking and not past. 90% of appraisal conversation is about the past year. In my coaching, I have always recommended my clients (mid and senior management professionals) to turn the tables and make 90% of that conversation about the upcoming year. I spend a considerable amount of time shifting the appraisal paradigm and it has worked wonders for my clients. 

And yes, one more thing, 

organizations should remember; 

the Manager is also a team member 

to his/her Manager (a Senior Manager).  

(just like the epic Saas bhi kabhi Bahu thi)

And Leadership needs to Lead by Example 

and also Walk the Talk by setting new norms! 

Hopefully, #Managers and Organizations 

will work towards reducing the fear and 

anxiety around #Appraisals and turn it 

into something people look forward to. 

#LeadershipDevelopment #PerformanceReview #CoachHemant #GrowthMindset