Facilitating meaningful annual reviews takes effort and preparation. With Stratacomm just completing its annual review season, I want to share some tips I’ve learned throughout my career.
Preparing for annual reviews
- Keep notes throughout the review period. Whether it is an annual or semi-annual review, it is important to keep the full time period in mind and not just provide feedback on the most recent events. A great way to do this is to have a running list of projects and their outcomes. This can be done in a review tool, like Trakstar, or in your personal files and then added at review time.
- Use the feedback formula: identify the behavior, discuss the result and impact of the behavior, and identify the desired change. This can be used by managers when sharing feedback and by employees when reflecting on areas for improvement.
- Don’t forget to identify the positives. Beyond just kudos, think of how to build on these good outcomes.
To get ready for 1:1 meetings
- Review feedback that has been shared before the meeting, so you have an idea of what is to come. You may have questions or need further clarification for something and that is OK!
- Review your progress toward goals and professional development. Be ready to discuss what was accomplished and what is still outstanding.
- Bring an open mind. Feedback is important for us to grow our professional development and we should be ready to receive it.
- Be ready to share your own feedback with your manager as well. It helps them support you better in the long term if they understand how to best communicate with you.
The end goal of any review is to further professional growth and having the attitude that this feedback will support your career development goes a long way. If you approach reviews with curiosity and a willingness to learn, you will feel energized about your future.