Performance Management- starting out the year

As the calendar year starts again, many of us focus our attention on documenting and delivering performance appraisals for the prior year.  This can be a tedious process, especially if documentation of goals as well as the good and the bad for each subordinate didn't occur throughout the year as planned.  But you can improve the process and lower your stress this year by doing a few things now:

·       Prepare yourself for the upcoming performance period (typically a calendar or fiscal year) by clarifying your views on responsibilities, roles, and desired goals to be achieved by each of your direct reports.  If you have job descriptions, review them to make sure they are accurate and have them ready for your discussions with your team members.

·        Have a conversation with each of your direct reports and go over the information above.  Give them written copies of your expectations for the upcoming year.  Go over each goal together and answer any questions that arise.

·       Set up your performance evaluation forms for each employee (fill out name, goals, etc.) so you can document their successes and challenges throughout the year.  It's easier to do this with a form already prepared, and it will save you much time later if you've been diligent about documenting the good and the bad throughout the performance year.

By planning ahead and starting the performance evaluation process early, you will end up with a better result and feel  prepared for coaching conversations throughout the year.