A Big Freaking List of Performance Reviews
Feedback is a gift.
Example Reviews
This morning you left our team meeting early. I could tell you were frustrated by the discussion, but walking out on your teammates doesn’t show them the same respect they show you during the conflict. How can we find a solution moving forward?
Hey, I wanted to check in and see how you felt about your work this week. Samika mentioned that you used a sarcastic tone with her in a meeting and it made her uncomfortable. We need to be able to function as a team, and I was hoping to hear your side of the story to see if everything is okay.
I’m glad we’re taking the time to check in. I feel like you haven’t been as happy at work lately. How do you feel? Is there something I can do to help you have a better experience here?
I appreciate your input. When you have an issue, it’s helpful for the team and me if you share it with me so I can address it. That’s a positive, productive move. If you talk to your teammates about your issues, I can’t help you solve them, which creates an atmosphere of negativity.
I wanted to check in and see how things are going. You don’t seem to be quite as engaged at work lately — is there something I can do to help you get back on track? I’d like to keep you happy here. Let’s set a time to review your goals and responsibilities and make sure we’re on the same page.
I know there are a lot of rumors flying around about X, and I know you’re concerned about it. I value your trust and contributions here, so I’d like to set the record straight and explain what I can.
I understand your feelings, and I know it’s frustrating when you feel your questions aren’t being answered. In the future, though, please bring your concerns directly to me. When you share them with your teammates, it creates a company culture of fear and negativity without providing answers.
You did a fantastic job collaborating with your team last week, but I worry that you may have derailed Howie by seeking his help with X. I’ve seen you work, and I’m confident that if you’d thought about it a little longer, you could have come up with a solution on your own. I know you can do it. Do you believe you can?
It’d be great to see you tap into your resourcefulness and apply it to problem-solving before reaching out to others. Try sitting with an issue for 5 minutes before you reach out to anybody else. If this doesn’t work, check in with me and we can come up with a solution.
You know I’ve always appreciated your grasp of our larger vision, and it’s great that you see big-picture. But you’ve missed out on some smaller details in your last few projects, like X and Y. Unfortunately, that ultimately set the team back because they had to correct those oversights.
I’d love for you to keep that big-picture vision while working on those little blind spots. For your next project, let’s put together a detailed checklist of all your deliverables to make sure you don’t miss anything. Give it a shot, then let’s follow up and reassess from there.
Hey, I noticed you weren’t in our last few morning meetings. I’m concerned that you may have missed some important information and that it will be difficult for other team members to sync up with you. I’d like to take the time to go over what you missed now. Then, let’s work out a plan together, so this doesn’t continue to happen in the future.
Your work on X, Y and Z were solid, valuable accomplishments this quarter. I know you didn’t complete every goal you set, and that’s okay — it’s great to see you reach high. But I recognize that it can be discouraging, too. So let’s take this opportunity to rethink your goals moving forward.
It’d be great to see you take on fewer projects, or narrow your focus to be more attainable. What do you think?
I really appreciated how you kept me up to date on X project this week — it helped me coordinate with our stakeholders, and I’m excited to share that we’re on track to launch. It’s also great to see your process. I’m impressed with the efficiencies you’re introducing.
I can’t help but notice that this is the third deadline that’s caught up to you this month. I understand this is a fast-paced environment, and I think you’d be more effective if we rethought your time management strategies.”
I’m curious about where we are with Y project. If any issues have come up, it’s best that I know as soon as possible so I can help you get back on target. How about you shoot me daily updates just so I know where we are?
It’s clear you’re excited about the project. But sometimes, when you get excited, you don’t leave room for others to bring their ideas to the table. In particular, I noticed that you spoke over David and Muriel several times throughout the meeting. Did you notice this, too?
In a group setting, I’d like you to make space for others in conversations and meetings. It’s a necessary skill for your career development and helps use the full talents of the team. What do you think?
Positive Reviews
Demonstrates a keen ability to multi-task and juggle competing priorities.
Has developed a loyal customer base and a high rate of repeat business.
Holds weekly staff meetings to ensure open communication.
Builds consensus.
Provides ongoing feedback in a spirit of constructive criticism.
Meets all attendance and tardiness standards.
Is an empathetic and focused listener.
Created a reporting system that is now used throughout the company.
Effectively shares highlights of conferences and workshops with her peers.
Fosters a spirit of creative collaboration by giving teams a common focus.
Completes assignments accurately and meets deadlines as promised.
Goes with the flow and adapts readily to any changes in circumstances.
Shows initiative when having to redefine the way she performs a task.
Excels at providing timely feedback to even the most difficult customers.
Rapidly adapts to changes in the nature of his assignments.
Demonstrates candor and a sense of humor in all business dealings.
Works very well with clients as well as all staff members.
Displays originality and contributes fresh ideas.
Skillfully overcomes customers' objections.
Readily identifies more efficient ways of doing business.
Welcomes change as an opportunity.
Thinks outside the box when faced with challenging situations.
Consistently answers the phone with a smile and a friendly hello.
Consistently gains necessary approvals and authorizations.
Is able to redefine the customer service process to meet clients' changing needs.
Solved a long-standing software glitch through a creative workaround.
Remains open-minded and willing to entertain others’ ideas.
Explains complicated issues clearly and succinctly.
Creates an inclusive work environment.
Has become the "go-to guy" for clients who seek his advice to solve problems.
Asks well-thought-out and well-prepared questions.
Regularly asks for immediate feedback to ensure understanding.
Demonstrates a willingness to hear others out before reaching a decision.
Speaks persuasively and convincingly.
Thinks of imaginative alternatives when confronted with obstacles.
Attained perfect attendance over the review period.
Begins meetings on time and ends them on schedule.
Never misses work without gaining the appropriate advance approvals.
Maintains composure when faced with stressful situations.
Possesses a knack for summarizing and communicating end results.
Builds strong working relationships with other internal departments.
Has a very warm rapport with everyone she comes in contact with.
Welcomes constructive criticism.
Cultivates a culture of openness in information sharing.
Makes ongoing suggestions to improve operations.
Provides timely feedback and follow-up.
Communicates clearly with customers who do not speak English fluently.
Is able to easily switch from English to Spanish and back again.
Begins each day refreshed and eager to face new challenges.
Deals with challenging customers without becoming aggressive.
Is always willing to take a fresh look at policies and practices.
Funnels creative recommendations into practical applications.
Is consistently dependable and conscientious.
Allows subordinates to share their achievements at weekly staff meetings.
Is a versatile team player capable of handling diverse assignments.
Is always willing to work long hours on little or no notice.
Regularly arranges for backup temporary support when absent.
Outlines the steps that she will take to resolve a problem.
Acts as a calming influence when faced with anger or resentment.
Follows up with clients to ensure no one feels forgotten or lost in the process.
Arrives at meetings on time and well prepared.
Encourages open communication, cooperation, and the sharing of knowledge.
Is fully reliable in terms of attendance and punctuality.
Begins each day refreshed and eager to face new challenges head-on.
Skillfully manages all but the most challenging customer situations.
Readily admits when she doesn't know the answer to a particular query.
Complies with all company standards of performance and conduct.
Clearly enjoys the "people" aspect of his position.
Regularly solicits constructive feedback.
Receives ongoing positive feedback from clients—both verbally and in writing.
Always makes others feel comfortable to participate and share their opinions.
Enjoys identifying "out-of-the-box" solutions for clients with special needs.
Quickly adapts to deviation from a pre-planned schedule and course of action.
Knows when to ask for additional support from team management.
Remains a proponent of change.
Regularly conducts postmortems on failed deals and learns from his mistakes.
Skillfully changes direction when faced with new information.
Overcomes objections in a logical and conversational fashion.
Encourages coworkers to be inventive and to take appropriate risks.
Is not afraid to say "I don't know" or "I'll check on that and get back to you."
Calms those around her by keeping them focused on the end goal.
Stands out among her peers as a public speaker and corporate spokesperson.
Questions common practices in order to identify better ways of doing things.
Needs Improvement
Tends to resist or resent new work assignments.
Fails to take disciplinary actions when subordinates fail to meet expectations.
Never appears to talk down to or to patronize customers.
Continuously patterns his sick days around regularly scheduled time off.
Has received numerous customer complaints for failing to follow up as promised.
Effectively prioritizes workload based on customers' needs.
Never uses pressure to close a deal or to unduly influence a customer's decision.
Refers too many customer queries to management for final resolution.
Has again used the maximum number of sick days allowed.
Appears reluctant to embrace last-minute changes in direction.
Always puts the client's needs above his own.
Follows up with customers after the conclusion of a sale.
Has difficulty saying no or tactfully telling customers that they must wait their turn.
Readily attributes blame to others.
Fails to give credit to subordinates who generate new ideas and solutions.
Tactfully tells customers no when their demands or expectations cannot be met.
Always exhibits creativity and flexibility in solving customers' problems.
Frequently arrives late to meetings while insisting that his subordinates arrive on time.
Prefers that others deliver bad news, even if it's clearly her responsibility.
Shares information and resources readily.
Remains unwilling to carry out tasks that are "below him."
Involves management whenever customers behave inappropriately.
Exceeds customers' expectations by providing timely feedback and follow-up.
Delays passing along bad news for fear of potential confrontation.
Does not return phone calls and e-mails in a timely manner.
Comes and goes as he pleases, citing his "exempt" status.
Does not "roll with the punches" effectively.
Is unwilling to adapt his tone and personality to fit a particular caller's style.
Fails to follow appropriate call-in procedures during absence.
Demonstrates a lack of respect for others' time by arriving late at meetings.
Does not consistently obtain advance approval for arriving late at work.
Demonstrates total commitment to outstanding customer service.
Creates a territorial atmosphere.
Becomes frustrated when customers ask too many questions.
Remains reluctant to provide subordinates with constructive feedback.
Only initiates courses of action that have guaranteed outcomes.
Refrains from speaking poorly of the competition.
Shares only as much information with a client as is necessary.
Refuses to commit her staff's time to other departments when asked.
Makes sure that clients understand that he is on their side.
Generates an excessive number of personal phone calls throughout the day.
Tends to "foxhole" and isolate himself.
Displays sarcasm and alienates those looking for help.
Has difficulty distinguishing clearly between macro issues and micro details.
Fails to tap the creative potential of peers and subordinates.
Demonstrates little innovation or creativity.
Appears unwilling to take creative chances.
Often raises her voice and "lashes out" at her peers when things don't go as planned.
Demonstrates a tendency to resist even minor changes.
Demonstrates condescending behavior when dealing with overly demanding callers.
Fails to communicate bad news upward.
Misses opportunities for cross-selling and overcoming initial objections.
Asks questions for questions' sake.
Proactively informs customers of pending delays.
Does not excel at independent, research-based activities.
Is reluctant to explore new approaches or alternatives.
Does not seek creative alternatives to conventional practices.
Often gets too "creative" in changing established procedures without approval.
Postpones or delays training and implementation of new programs.
Makes others feel intimidated and uncomfortable when they ask for help.
Allows cell phone calls to interrupt business meetings with staff and clients.
Becomes frustrated when faced with unexpected changes in plans.
Cannot yet demonstrate sufficient knowledge of company products.
Is too wordy to communicate a clear and compelling message.
Does not meet standards for attendance and punctuality.
Uses defamatory, derogatory language to humiliate staff members.
Engages in shouting matches.
Fails to assume responsibility for his actions.
Spends excessive time handling personal matters on the Internet.
Quickly addresses problems even with the most demanding customers.
Never permits customers to treat him disrespectfully.
Tends to wander from his desk, leaving office phones uncovered.
Has little patience for customers with "dumb questions."
Regularly complains of a lack of necessary resources to perform effectively.
Tends to process information in a rote manner.
Argues and uses inflammatory language with customers.
Appears unable or unwilling to say no to any request.
Demonstrates a time-clock mentality.
Becomes flustered when interrupted or asked to deviate from a fixed schedule.
Avoids covering for others in the department when needed.
Does not manage customer expectations by explaining reasons for delays.
Receives ongoing substandard customer satisfaction scores.
Has difficulty boiling down complex issues into their component parts.
Strictly adheres to only those job duties outlined in her job description.
Is slow to adjust his work in light of clients' changing needs.
Provides objective and timely advice to customers.
Tough to give feedback without it sounding harsh. You could try HiFive Star to track patterns and frame notes around real moments. It keeps conversations grounded and helps folks feel supported, not singled out.