I believe performance reviews cause unnecessary pain…
…even – or especially – for high performers.
And since I stand against unnecessary pain in the workplace, I’d like to do something about it, right here, right now with this message to my network:
Your performance review is not your performance.
It’s not your success or lack thereof. It’s an intrinsically imperfect assessment at a single moment in time.
When you get your review, try paying attention to all part of it equally, not just the “bad stuff”. Yes, I know you. I’ve seen you flip immediately to the last page of the review to read the areas of improvement first!
If you receive a rating that feels disappointing, please remember that whatever words are used to describe it (“Meets Expectations,” “Fully Achieved,” etc) are not labels to carry forward in life. They’re an exercise attempting the impossible task of sorting individuals with diverse strengths and roles.
DON’T hold the outcomes of the review too close to your heart, but DO make space for compassion for yourself, since receiving feedback can be a tender moment. And if possible, find compassion for the imperfect humans who contributed to the review.
Be curious, be open, learn from the feedback. But remember, no matter what your performance review says, it’s never the entire story or the absolute truth.
Want to receive more of my tips, reflections and resources? Subscribe to “Try It! The Scientific Leadership Newsletter” and get my content directly to your inbox!
