It Is Time For Performance Review
Make it Rock 'n' Roll.
You may love it or hate it.
Most people feel this way about performance reviews. It is useful to recap what you achieved or haven’t, and summarize your performance.
It’s food for thought for collaboration.
Today, I want to give you six questions to answer. The ultimate goal is to find out if your gig was good.
PS: Ask your coworkers these questions to make performance reviews fun.
Other enjoyable reading:
➔ Head here if you want to do it right: Deep Dive: Performance review
➔ How not to have a pointless performance review with your manager
1. What’s your proudest “mic-drop” moment this year, and why did it rock?
No performance review can work without this one big moment.
What are you proud of?
Don’t be shy to praise yourself. Some people don’t like it, but hey, it’s almost a festive time, and you should be kind and happy for yourself.
Give me one.
You survived this year?
Managed a difficult client?
Successfully worked while being a first-time parent?
Big does not have to be about money. Think about the big picture.
2. If your work this year had a soundtrack, what would be the lead single?
My lead song would be a house classic. Daddy’s Favourite - I Feel Good Things For you.
This year was a rollercoaster for me. My daughter has just turned, one and while I am often thinking about becoming a parent as “Welcome to the Jungle” (Thank you, Axl Rose, for these amazing vocals!), I must say I feel good.
If you have time, listen to the 1997 song, it’s just vibing.
What would be yours?
3. Which skill did you turn up the volume on this year, and how did it play out?
What has been working for you? You’ve been learning a lot. Pick one or more that play out.
I’ve become more organized. When you have no time, you find out how much time you have.
Go figure.
4. Who was the "co-star" in your biggest duet this year, and what hit did you create together?
This is so often neglected. While performance reviews seem to be personal, they are never truly personal.
You work with people. Some help you be successful. Acknowledge people without whom it won’t be the same.
Appreciating one another creates bonds and a team culture that lasts. Do that during your performance reviews as well.
5. What was your toughest “remix”—a challenge you had to rework until it sounded right?
Lack of sleep gave me quite some headaches.
Challenges can feel tough until you make them work. Like remix. It’s a really fun metaphor. You keep working and working until it sounds right.
Then it feels easy. But to get there. Appreciate your effort!
Challenges are tough!
6. If you were dropping a new album next year, what would it be called, and what vibe would it have?
“Show must go on.” In my case. The vibe would be energetic, I like some beats.
How about you? Be creative and not shy.
TL;DR
In the end, performance reviews are like your personal greatest hits album—reflect, celebrate, and set the stage for the next chart-topping year!
I doubt you would like to listen to your performance reviews all the time, but you can do it well once a year.
Have a good one, Ivona
On the menu:
Monday Deep Dive: Psychological Safety: Building Trust in Teams
Thursday Newsletter: Why Frustration Kills Your Leadership Skills